HISTORY 



OF THE 



PRESBYTERY OF ERIE 



HISTORY 



OF THE 



PRESBYTERY OF ERIE 



EMBRACING IN ITS ANCIENT BOUNDARIES THE WHOLE 

OF NORTH WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND 

NORTHEASTERN OHIO: 



WITH 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES OE ALL ITS MIMSTEKS 



^j 



AND 

HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF ITS CHURCHES. 



BY 

S. J. *M. EATON, 

PASTOR OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, FRANKLIN, PA. 



/NEW YORK: 



PUBLISHED BY HURD AND HOUGHTON, 

459 Broome Street. 

1868. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by 
S. J. M. Eaton, 
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Penn- 
sylvania, 



PRINTED AT THE RIVERSIDE PRESS, 
CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 



TO THE MEMORY 

OF THE 

FATHERS AND BRETHREN OE THE PRESBYTERY OE ERIE, 

WHO REST FROM THEIR LABORS: 

AND TO 

THOSE WHO YET LABOR IN THE GREAT FIELD, 

DOING THE MASTER'S WORK, 

2Ti)fs TJoIume 

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THEIR 
FELLOW SERVANT, 

THE AUTHOR. 



PKEFACE. 



The Presbytery of Erie, although small in its pres- 
ent membership and territory, has a most interesting 
history. It is substantially the history of Presbyterian - 
ism in the early settlement of Northwestern Penn- 
sylvania and Eastern Ohio. Being the third Pres- 
bytery organized west of the Mountains, its history is 
connected with the recital of enterprise and self-de- 
nial and energetic endeavor, such as have character- 
ized the histories of few Presbyteries, east or west. 

But the eaily records are brief, and in many respects 
unsatisfactory. There is no record of the organization of 
churches for the first thirty years of its history, and it 
is often impossible to distinguish between regularly 
organized churches and mere preaching points. At 
the first, the names of places seem to have been re- 
corded just as they petitioned for supplies, and were 
permitted to change to the more important relation of 
organized churches without any record being made. 

The authorities chiefly relied on in this work, are 
the Minutes of the Presbytery, of the Synod of Pitts- 
burgh, and of the General Assembly. Aid has also 



Vlll PREFACE. 

been received from the "Western Missionary Maga- 
zine," " Evangelical Intelligencer," Gillett's " History of 
the Presbyterian Church," Wilson's " Presbyterian His- 
torical Almanac," " Old Redstone," Elliott's " Macurdy,', 
" History of Western Pennsylvania," Dr. Smith's 
"Sketches," and an extended correspondence with 
brethren, to whom thanks are here tendered. Added to 
this, familiarity from childhood with the relation of the 
stirring scenes and incidents connected with the early 
history of the Presbytery, by those who mingled in its 
affairs, has greatly assisted in filling up what had else 
been but dim outline. 

In the biographical department, sketches have been 
given of all the ministers who have been at any time 
connected with the Presbytery, together with brief his- 
torical notices of all the living ministers whose names 
have been upon its roll. The numbers prefixed to the 
names denote the order in which they became mem- 
bers of Presbytery; and these numbers affixed in 
the history proper, refer to the biographical sketches, 
in Part II. The sketches of churches are designed to 
embrace all connected with the history of the Presby- 
tery. They necessarily embrace churches now under 
the care of the Presbyteries of Beaver, Alleghany, 
Alleghany City, and St. Clairsville ; also, the Presby- 
teries of Erie, Meadville, Buffalo, and Trumbull, of 
the other branch. These sketches are brief and mea- 
gre, even where much matter was at hand, as extended 
notices would have swelled the volume to an undue size. 



PREFACE. IX i 

The work was undertaken at the request of the Presby- 
tery of Erie. The task of collecting and arranging the 
materials has been the labor of years ; and the com- 
pleted work is now offered to the Church as an humble 
memorial of the past, and to perpetuate that which 
else had soon been forgotten forever upon earth. 

Fkanklin, Pa., February, 1868. 



CONTENTS. 



PART I. 

CHAPTER I. 

PRELIMINARY. 

The Times. — Peace with the Indians. — Spirit of Enterprise. — 
Spirit of Revival. — Great Prosperity. — The Territory extend- 
ed; uncultivated. —Eager calls for Laborers. — Boundaries. — 
The Ministers: Hardy; inured to Labor; Enterprising; Edu- 
cated in the West; adapted to the Field; Advantages; Charac- 
ter; their Labors; Missionary Toilers. — Churches to be or- 
ganized. — Difficulties to be settled. — Anecdote. — Hardships. 
Mode of Travelling. — Stockton. — Eaton. — Successes. — An- 
ecdote of Rice., — Presbyterianism. — Revivals. — Young Men. 

— The People: Scotch; Irish. — Frolics. — Primitive Houses. — 
McGarraugh's House; Eaton's. — Church Buildings. — Middle- 
brook. — Seeking Supplies. — Edward Johnston. — Domestic 
Manufacture. — Supplies. — Manners. — Church Service. — Lin- 
ing Out. — Tedious Sen-ice. — Communion Service. — Tokens. 

— Fencing the Tables. — Catechism . . . . .3 

CHAPTER II. 

FROM THE ERECTION OF THE PRESBYTERY TO THE FIRST DIVISION. 

1801-1808. 

Redstone and Ohio. — Act of Synod. — Boundaries. — First Meet- 
ing. — Members — Officers. — Mr. Hughes and Mr. Wick. — 
Mr. Tait's First Church. — Mr. Stockton's Youth. — Satterneld, 
Wylie, Plumer, Dodd. — First Supplies. — Prayer. — Educa- 
tion. — Academy. — Statistical Report. — First Preaching. — 



Xll CONTENTS. 

Dickson's Journal. — Wood. — John and Abraham Boyd or- 
dained. — Cook and Patterson. — Books sought. — Elements of 
Boards. — Badger. — Supplies. — Patterson's Journal. — First 
Licensure. — First Pastoral Relation Dissolved. —Missions to' 
Indians. — History of Presbytery. — Plan of Union. — Divisiori 
of Presbytery 7 . — Protest. — Stated Clerk's Bill. — Academy. — 
Licensures. — Division of Presbytery. — Minute of Synod. — 
New Presbytery of Hartford 27 



CHAPTER III. 

FROM THE FIRST TO THE SECOND DIVISION OF PRESBYTERY. 

1808-1820. 

New Roll. — Settlements. — Territory. — Houses of Worship. — 
Barns. — Forest Worship. — Tradition. — Dismissions. — Mat- 
thews. — Riggs. — Fire in Churches. — Missionary Ground. — 
Matrimony. — Synod's Action. — Hilands'. — Early Experience. 

— Butler. — Salem. — Serious Question. — Chaplains. — Tem- 
perance. — Redick and Chase. — Offense. — Troubles. — Psalm- 
ody. — Music. — Alden and Missions. — Theological Seminaries. 

— Candidates. — Camp. — Complaint. — Division of Presbytery. 

— Results. — Revivals. — Presbytery of Alleghany ... 66 



CHAPTER IY. 

FROM THE SECOND DIVISION OF PRESBYTERY TO THE GREAT 

DIVISION. 

1820-1837. 

Contracted Limits. — Small Number of Ministers. — Churches. — 
Discouragements. — Energy. — First Meeting. — Van Liew. — 
Narrative. — Sunday-schools. — Meadville. — Missionary Cir- 
cular. — Springfield Controversy. — New Members. — Erie. — 
Mercer. — Franklin. — Increase. — - Revival. — Incidents. — Tem- 
perance. — Four Days' Meetings. — Sacraments. — Evangelists. 

— Revival. — Baptism. — Fast Difficulties. — New Members. — 
Act and Testimony. — West. — Slavery. — Elders' Convention. 

— Franklin. — Troubles in the Distance 100 



CONTEXTS. XUl 

CHAPTER Y. 

THE GREAT DIVISION. 

1837-1838. 

The Storm. — Action of General Assembly disapproved of. — 
Vote. — Complaint and Appeal. — Action of Synod. — Last 
Meeting. — Members Present. — McCready's Resolutions. — Re- 
port of Commissioners. — Motion to postpone and refer to Sy- 
nod. — Yote. — Withdrawal of. Minority. — Rule of General As- 
sembly. — Officers. — Records. — Synod. — Decision. — Presby- 
tery of the other Branch 135 

CHAPTER VI. 

FROM THE GREAT DIVISION TO THE PRESENT. 

1838-1867. 

Numbers. — Division. — Feeling. — Xew Members. — Education. 

— Missionary. — Sabbath. — Slavery. — * Proposition of Reun- 
ion.— 1845 to 1855. — Revival. — Death of Mr. Eaton. — Death 
of Glenn and McCullough. — 1859 to 1861. — State of the Coun- 
try. — 1865. — Exchange of Delegates with New School. — State 

of the Country. — President. —1867. —Revivals . . .143 

CHAPTER VII. 

SUPPLEMENTAL. 

Changes. — Short Settlements. — Causes. — Roll. — Longevity. — 
Oldest Ministers. — Nativity. — Places of Study. — Chaplains. 

— Christian Commission. — Stated Clerks. — Influence. — Ex- 
ample. — Lessons 169 



XIV 



CONTENTS. 



PAET II. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



BIOGRAPHIES OF DECEASED MINISTERS. 



Thonias Edgar Hughes . . 177 

William Wick ..... 183 

Samuel Tait 185 

Joseph Stockton .... 191 

Robert Lee 195 

James Satterfield .... 199 

William Wylie ...... 203 

John Boyd 211 

Abraham Boyd 213 

William Wood 216 

Joseph Badger 218 

Alexander Cook .... 230 

Robert Patterson .... 233 

Robert Johnston .... 240 

Nicholas Pittinger .... 249 

John- McPherrin .... 251 

Benjamin Boyd 255 

Cyrus Riggs 256 

Reid Bracken 261 

Johnston Eaton 265 

James Boyd 269 

John Matthews 271 

Robert McGarraugh . . . 275 

Ira Condit 277 

Amos Chase 282 



John Redick 288 

Timothy Alden 290 

John Munson 296 

Phineas Camp 299 

Bradford Marcy 302 

Giles Doolittle 303 

Nathan Harned 308 

Wells Bushnell 311 

Thomas Anderson .... 315 

Pierce Chamberlain . . . 319 

Edson Hart 323 

Robert Glenn 324 

John McNair 328 

Nathaniel West . ' . . . . 331 

Charles Danforth .... 334 

John Limber 336 

Alexander Boyd .... 339 

John Kinkead Cornyn . . 341 

Lewis W. Williams ... 343 

Lemuel P. Bates .... 349 

Charles Y. Struve .... 351 

Nathaniel M. Crane ... 352 

William McCullough ... 356 

Robert Taylor 361 



NOTICES OF LIV.ING MINISTERS. 



John Yan Liew . . . . 


. 369 


James G. Wilson . . 


. . 377 


David McKinney . . 


. 370 


Robinson S. Lockwood 


. . 378 


Absalom McCready 


. . 371 


Reuben Lewis . . . 


. . 378 


Peter Hassinger . . . 


. 372 


William Fuller . . . 


. 379 


James Alexander . . 


. 373 


David Waggoner . . 


. . 380 


George A. Lyon . . . 


. 374 


Daniel Washburn . . . 


. 380 


George W. Hampson . . 


. 374 


John Y. Reynolds . . . 


. 381 


William A. Adair . . . 


. 375 


Edmund McKinney . 


. 381 


Simeon Peck 


. 376 


Cyrus Dickson . . . . 


. 381 





CONTENTS. 


XV 


Edward S. Blake . . 


. 382 


John R. Findley . . 


. . 393 


Hiram Eddy .... 


. 382 


John R. Hamilton . . 


. . 394 


Joseph T. Smith . . . 


. 383 


John D. Howev . . . 


. . 394 


James Coulter . . . . 


. 383 


Ira M. Condit . . . 


. . 395 


Henry Webber . . . . 


. 384 


Anthony C. Junkin 


. . 395 


James W. Dickey . 


. 384 


Huey Newell . . . 
George Scott .... 


. . 396 


Alexander Cunningham 


. 385 


. . 396 


John M. Smith . . . 


. 385 


James H. Spelman . . 


. . 396 


Miles T. Merwin . . . 


. 386 


John G. Condit . . . 


. . 397 


Lemuel G. Olmstead . 


. 386 


John H. Sargent . . 


. . 397 


James H. Callen . . 


. . 387 


Newell S. Lowrie . . 


. . 398 


Samuel J. M. Eaton . 


. 387 


James H. Gray . . . 


. 398 


Michael A. Parkinson . 


. . 388 


William T. Hamilton . 


. . 398 


John Sailor .... 


. . 388 


William P. Moore . . 


. . 399 


Robert S. Morton . ', 


. . 389 


George F. Cain . . . 


. . 399 


William Wilson . . . 


. . 389 


William M. Robinson . 


. . 399 


John W. McCune . . 


. . 390 


Luther M. Belden . . 


. . 400 


David Grier- .... 


. . 390 


John Rice 


. . 400 


George W. Zahniser . 


. 390 


Henry B. Lambe . . 


. . 401 


Robert F. Sample . . 


. 391 


James J. Marks . . . 


. . 401 


James I. Smith . . . . 


. 391 


Robert S. Van Cleve . 


. . 401 


James M. Shields . . . 


. 392 


John J. Gridley . . . 


. 402 


William J. Alexander 


. 392 


James J. Smyth . . . 


. 402 


Charles A. Behrends . 


. 393 


David Patton . . . . 


. 403 


William M. Blackburn . 


. 393 







PART III. 

HISTORICAL NOTICES OF CHURCHES. 

Sketches of Churches, either now or at any former time under the 
care of Presbytery 407 



PART I. 



HISTORY 



HISTORY 

OF THE 

PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 



CHAPTER I. 

PRELIMINARY. 

The Presbytery of Erie was erected under most 
auspicious circumstances. The dark clouds that had 
lowered so heavily over the church and over the country 
for a quarter of a century were rapidly rolling away, 
and everything betokened prosperity and peace. Gen- 
eral Wayne's treaty with the Indians had opened the 
way for the occupation of territory that had hitherto 
been locked up. A tide of emigration had set in from 
Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, that 
bade fair to occupy the country that had hitherto been 
but the hunting ground of the Indian ; or at least neu- 
tral ground in the great conflict between civilization 
and barbarism. There was a spirit of enterprise, now 
greatly stimulated by the love of adventure, that was 
spreading over the older settlements, and that promised 
to bring into the new territory just opening up, the 
better class of the population of the East. Hitherto 
the region north and west of the Ohio, and extending 
to the great Northern Lakes, had been comparatively an 
unknown land. It had been partially explored for half 
a century, but up to this time had been all unsettled 



4 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

and unsafe. About the year 1750-52, the French had 
set up their claim to its possession, and were in some 
degree in alliance with the Indians, rendering the work 
of exploring even unsafe and unprofitable. After the 
departure of the French, there was a bitterness and a 
jealousy in the minds of the Indians, who claimed the 
territory, that effectually closed up the country against 
actual settlement. At the beginning of the present 
century, all these difficulties were surmounted and the 
gates opened that invited the westward march of civil- 
ization, bearing in its train the blessings of evangeliza- 
tion. 

The religious influence at this time was most blessed 
and happy. The terrible scourge of skepticism and 
infidelity that seemed as though it would sweep over 
the entire country, after the war of the Revolution, was 
rapidly abating. The stamp of French influence that 
at one time seemed fixing itself upon the religious in- 
'stitutions of the country was vanishing, and a pure 
Christianity fast assuming its place. Added to this, the 
spirit of revival was making itself felt with wondrous 
power and efficacy. The Spirit of God had been poured 
out most copiously upon the older Presbyteries of the 
West, and the infant churches recently planted in the 
new territory had been largely blessed. These revivals 
had commenced in 1778, in Vance's Fort/ into which 
the settlement had been driven by the incursions of 
savages. " From 1781 to 1787, a most extensive work 
of grace was experienced in the churches of Cross 
Creek, Upper Buffalo, Chartiers, Pigeon Creek, Bethel, 
Lebanon, Ten Mile, Cross Roads, and Millcreek, dur- 
ing which more than a thousand persons were brought 
into the kingdom of Christ." 

" From 1795 to 1799, another series of gracious visit- 
i Rev. Toseph Stevenson. 



HISTORY. 5 

ations were enjoyed by the churches generally through- 
out Western Pennsylvania, extending to the new settle- 
ments north of Pittsburgh." 

These gracious visitations continued into the begin- 
ning of the new century, filling the minds of many 
with the conviction that the very dawn of the Millenium 
had come. Even in the midst of the labors and watch- 
ing peculiar to the founding of new settlements, and 
sometimes without the labors of the stated ministry, this 
spirit of revival was present, stimulating the hearts of 
the settlers with hope and courage, and inviting others 
who were looking for some new place of settlement to 
cast in their lot with them. Says a venerable father, 1 
lately fallen asleep: "My mother was pious, and hear- 
ing of the revival of religion in Western Pennsylvania, 
felt a great anxiety that her family might enjoy the 
benefits of such a season. Accordingly we removed to 
Beaver County in 1806." Others were influenced, no 
doubt, in the same way, and thus the spiritual attractions 
of the new territory added to its temporal prosperity. 

In the mean time all fear of hostility on the part 
of the Indians being removed, settlers pushed their 
way northward to Lake Erie, and westward into Ohio, 
forming settlements, and laying the foundation of the 
dense population that now occupies what was the 
original territory of the Presbytery of Erie. 

The territory that was occupied by the old Presby- 
tery of Erie was widely extended. It embraced all the 
churches and settlements north and northwest of the 
Ohio and Alleghany rivers. It extended from Beaver, 
Pa., on the Ohio River on the south, to Lake Erie on 
the north, and from the Alleghany River on the east to 
Canfield, Ohio, on the west, embracing the whole of 

1 Rev. John Munson. 



O PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

what is now the Synod of Alleghany with portions of 
the Synods of Wheeling, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. The 
field was almost wholly uncultivated by ministerial la- 
bor. The population was mainly Presbyterian. They 
had brought with them a few books from the East. The 
Bible, the Westminster Confession, the Hymn Book, 
and some works on practical religion — these were 
their spiritual pabulum during the intervals of their 
labor and toil. They often met together on the Sab- 
bath and held what they called " Society Meetings." 
The exercises consisted of singing, prayer, and reading 
a sermon from Burder or some other standard work. 
But the parents felt that, much as they delighted in those 
social meetings, they needed the minister of Christ. 
Their children had many of them been baptized in 
their infancy but were now growing up, and they felt the 
deepest interest in their spiritual welfare. Says the same 
father already quoted : 1 " They saw the importance of 
having the standard of the gospel planted at the com- 
mencement of their new settlement. In all their meet- 
ings for prayer they earnestly sought the Lord that he 
would send them a godly man, to break to them the 
bread of life, and be the instrument of laying the foun- 
dation of a rising church in the wilderness. Their 
prayers were heard, and thus God in a short time se- 
lected out of these and other families materials for the 
organization of a church." 

This remark has reference to the settlement in Bea- 
ver County, Pa., which afterwards constituted the con- 
gregation of Mount Pleasant ; but was also character- 
istic of other portions of the territory constituting the 
Presbytery of Erie. There was therefore an eager call 
for laborers that went up with an earnestness almost 

1 Munson to Plumer, Pres. Mag. vii. 463. 



HISTORY. 7 

Macedonian, and was responded to by many of the 
ministers in the older settlements with a zeal and self- 
denial well-nigh apostolical. The people had no great 
inducements to offer ; certainly very few of a temporal 
kind. There w T as labor and self-denial, with little in the 
way of salary or worldly fame. But there were oppor- 
tunities for doing good, seldom exceeded. There was 
the way opening for planting the church in the wilder- 
ness, and of gathering immortal souls into its safe and 
peaceful inclosure. 

And so the early fathers of the Presbytery of Erie 
girded themselves for the work and the warfare, and 
went forth with manly hearts to labor as best they might 
in the Lord's cause. 

These fathers were a hardy set of men, modeled 
after a type peculiar to their day, and eminently adapted 
to the performance of the great work to which they 
were called. They had been educated mainly in the 
West. Of the first twenty-eight on the roll, embracing 
a period of twenty years of its history, twenty-three 
were educated at Cannonsburg, and at the Academies 
that sprung up and were fostered under the influence 
of the Presbytery. And of the same twenty-eight, 
twenty-two pursued their theological studies in the west, 
and no less than eighteen at Dr. McMillan's log-cabin. 
These men had been inured to labor. Almost every 
one of them had been accustomed to the work of sub- 
duing the forest, and of cultivating the soil from child- 
hood. Even during his studies at Cannonsburg, Robert 
Lee was engaged in clearing land from forest trees, 
and in order not to trench upon the hours of study 
and recitation had labored at rolling logs and kindling: 
fires at night. As a general thing then, they came 
to the duties of the ministry with physical constitutions 



8 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

matured and indurated by labor and exercise. They 
were enabled at once to endure the hardships and 
privations that were peculiar to frontier life. Not only 
did they make long and fatiguing journeys in the work 
of organizing and supplying churches in remote places, 
but were obliged also to labor with their hands in se- 
curing a support. This may also account for the lon- 
gevity that characterized these early fathers. They 
were enterprising men, too. They saw the field spread- 
ing before them, with its labors and its promises ; they 
had girded themselves for the work, and neither labor 
nor peril appalled them. Whether they set out for 
the shore of Lake Erie, or plunged into the wilderness 
seeking the red man of the forest in his wild haunts, 
it mattered not. It was the Lord's work. It was for 
this they had entered the service ; and they took the 
labors and the privations as matters of course. 

If they lacked the polish and accomplished education 
that pertain to more modern times, they possessed that 
furniture that better fitted them for the then rude con- 
tact with Nature, and with the hardy race of pioneers 
that were felling the mighty forests and opening up the 
pathway for the progress of Empire in its mighty West- 
ern march. 

Concerning these early ministers, there yet linger 
amongst us aged fathers and mothers, who tell us won- 
drous things of their power and eloquence, and many 
imagine that there are no such preachers and no such 
preaching at the present day, even amid the most effect- 
ive preachers of modern times. But we are to remem- 
ber the times, and the circumstances in which they 
lived. The men and women who constituted their 
hearers, were not educated as hearers are educated now. 
The Bible and Psalm Book, lying on the window-sill, 



HISTORY. 9 

as a general thing, constituted their library. And 
although these are prime sources of theology, they 
were read as books of devotion — as daily, spiritual 
bread — rather than as furnishing the mind with any 
regular system of theology. 

They were thinking men and women, yet was their 
range of thought circumscribed within narrow bounds. 
Hence the preachers labored in a virgin soil. Grand 
new truths seemed to be constantly making their im- 
pression upon the minds of the audience. The preach- 
er seemed to be dispensing blessings fresh from the 
treasury of the Lord. His warnings and reproofs and 
expostulations fell like fiery barbed arrows upon con- 
sciences not yet seared by constant familiarity with the 
awful truths of God's word. And the sweet and pre- 
cious consolations of the gospel — its promises, its 
hopes, and its encouragements — were healing balm and 
living waters to the faint and weary soul not familiar 
with these sacred things from childhood. Added to 
this, there was that profound reverence, amounting al 
most to awe, for the gospel minister, that lifted him up 
above the sphere of the common, and elevated him 
almost to the height of the angels. All these things 
conspired to give the old fathers an influence that was 
most important, and that they used for the carrying for- 
ward of the great work committed to their care. But 
it is possible that these circumstances gave their people 
an exaggerated estimate of their power and ability. 
They were, many of them, no doubt men of ability, and 
circumstances were calculated to call out all their 
strength and energy ; yet there were also adverse cir- 
cumstances connected with their life and ministry. 
They entered upon their preparatory studies, as a gen- 
eral thing, late in life, when their habits of thought and 



10 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

elasticity of mind had become somewhat fixed. They 
entered upon the labors of the ministry after the active 
powers of the intellect had begun to settle down so as 
not to be readily moved : circumstances certainly not 
favorable to the full development of the mind and the 
efficient exercise of the powers of thought Their edu- 
cation, too was oftentimes defective. A few years in 
the academy, and a brief period with some hard-work- 
ing pastor in the study of theology, was all they could 
hope to obtain in the way of education. They had 
access to very few text books, and those perhaps none 
of the best. The only system of theology that the 
great majority of them had was Dr. McMillan's " Lec- 
tures." These they copied carefully and laboriously, 
and bore with them to their labors for future reference 
and authority. Many copies of these " Lectures " are 
still in existence in many parts of the church, all of 
which were copied in the seclusion and quiet of the 
old log-cabin that constituted the first Theological 
Seminary of the West. 

Again, these primitive ministers, whatever their thirst 
for knowledge might have been, had not access to books 
after entering upon their labors. Books were rare 
treasures then. They had not found their way into the 
wilderness of the West. And even if they had, the 
minister had neither money to purchase nor time to 
read. Other and more pressing duties would have 
crowded them out. Nor had they leisure for that close, 
patient study, that is favorable to the highest develop- 
ment of mind. Their time was spent either in the sad- 
dle or in the field. Samuel Tait, the pioneer of Mer- 
cer County, made his preparation for the pulpit whilst 
following the plough. His Bible, which he carried 
with him to the field, was his library ; and as he turned 



HISTORY. 11 

over the furrows, and scattered the seed, he thought ol 
God's husbandry, and wrought out his sermons as best 
he might. And in addition to this, there was the 
almost constant travelling to and fro connected with 
missionary work, that could afford but little time for 
systematic study. 

But these men did a wondrous work. They stood 
in their lot, and their memory should be revered and 
loved to the remotest generations. They laid the foun- 
dations of Zion broad and deep, and the results remain 
unto this present time. The remarks just made are not 
designed to take a single leaf from the chaplet of their 
fair fame, but simply to arrive at the truth in estimat- 
ing their character and influence. The great wonder is, 
that with their intellectual furniture and widely ex- 
tended labors, they were able to make so broad and 
deep an impression upon the times as they did. 

The labors of these men were most arduous. When 
the Presbytery was organized, there were but seven 
ministers to enter upon the work. The field embraced 
what now constitutes ten or twelve counties in Penn- 
sylvania, Ohio, and New York. There were a few 
churches organized, perhaps eight or ten. But they 
did not confine themselves to these. The whole field 
must be brought under cultivation. New churches 
must be organized. Those already organized must be 
visited, supplied, and strengthened. Difficulties must 
be removed, discipline administered, and the ordinances 
dispensed. Oftentimes, long missionary tours were 
undertaken, sometimes singly, sometimes two and two, 
for the purpose of exploring the country, and preach- 
ing the gospel to the destitute. Sometimes this preach- 
ing continued day after day, for weeks. The services 
would be held in private houses at first, and after the 



12 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

progress of settlement had advanced, in school -houses ; 
— just where a few neighbors could be gathered to- 
gether. Occasionally the minister must be content to 
lay him down at night under the shadow of a spreading 
tree, with the stars of heaven for his canopy, and the 
song of the nightingale for his lullaby, with no even- 
ing repast but the thought of God's goodness and mercy 
and faithfulness to those who lean on his hand. 

At the time of the organization of the Presbytery of 
Erie, there was not a bridge from the Ohio River to 
Lake Erie. In passing to and fro, the streams must be 
forded, or if this was impracticable the horse must swim 
and bear his rider on his back. Often has the mission- 
ary been obliged to swim the creek or river on the Sab- 
bath morning, preach in his dripping garments, and 
hasten on to fulfill some other appointment. Instances 
are on record where the missionary, after travelling per- 
haps two day's journey to fulfill an appointment, found 
on Sabbath morning a swollen stream between him and 
his place of preaching, that could not possibly be crossed, 
and so returned without delivering the message. Nor 
was it an unfrequent thing for the missionary to lose 
his way in the wilderness. One of the earlier ministers, 
in his peregrinations through what is now the " Oil 
region," losing his way, finally came upon an Indian 
camp, and sought shelter for the night. Some bear 
meat and coarse hominy was his repast, and dried skins 
his bed. In the morning he took his way down Oil 
Creek to the Alleghany and thence to Franklin. Some- 
times these pioneers on their missionary journeys took 
with them some of what were then called the luxuries of 
life, not expecting to find these in the cabins of the set- 
tlers. On one occasion, Mr. Wood (10) placed a small 
package of tea in his saddlebags, thinking that a cup 



HISTORY. 13 

of the beverage that " cheers but not inebriates" would 
be grateful after a weary day's ride. Finding refuge at 
night- fall in the cabin of a settler, he inquired of the 
hostess if she had any tea. She replied, " No, I never 
had any in my house." He then produced his little 
package and asked her to prepare him some. He 
busied himself about his own thoughts, until supper 
was announced. Seating himself at the little table by 
the wall, he looked for the tea-pot, and not seeing any- 
thing that looked like it he inquired of the woman for 
his tea. She pointed to a broad earthen dish, where 
the entire paper of tea stood, dished up in the form 
of greens. 

The ministers shared with the people all the hard- 
ships incident to the settlement of a new country. 
They built their cabins of the rough unhewn logs that 
were cut from the forest, often chinked and daubed 
them with their own hands, and as far as time would 
allow, cleared and worked their own fields. Indeed the 
probabilities are, that without this manual labor they 
could not have been sustained by the people. Lands 
were cheap, and almost every minister for the first 
twenty years in the history of the Presbytery, procured 
a farm and proceeded to prepare it for cultivation. In 
process of time these farms became valuable, and were 
of use to the minister's family, and as a resource against 
old age. Occasionally the people would assemble and 
assist the minister in his logging, ploughing, and har- 
vesting, and thus lighten his labor and afford him more 
time to devote to labor of a spiritual kind, as well as 
show their appreciation of him and sympathy in his 
pursuits. 

The mode of travelling was on horseback. All the 
journeys of the early ministers were performed in this 



14 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

way, not only in their missionary expeditions, but in 
journeys more remote, such as to meetings of Synod, 
General Assembly, and occasional visits to the older 
settlements. When Joseph Stockton with his young 
wife moved to Meadville to settle, in 1801, the journey 
was made on horseback. And when his household 
effects were packed up it was with reference to being 
borne on the backs of horses. And when Johnston 
Eaton with his wife removed six years later, from near 
Uniontown, Pa., to the shores of Lake Erie, everything 
that was necessary to the comfort or convenience of 
the family must be packed in long boxes or trunks and 
slung upon opposite sides of horses, and be in this way 
transported through the woods and across streams, a 
distance of nearly two hundred miles. 

Yet the success of these hardy pioneers was very 
great. No doubt they often felt sorely cast down, as 
they sat beneath the shadows of the evening, crying out 
" Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the 
arm of the Lord revealed," but withal they had much to 
encourage them. There was a willing heart on the 
part of the people to hear. Though poor, they were 
willing to share their labor in building a cabin for the 
minister and a house for public worship, and when 
necessary, to give the hard earned silver dollar to sup- 
port the institutions of religion. Says an old father 1 
who yet lingers amid the scenes of the church militant : 
" The first dollar I ever gave to the Lord in the sup- 
port of his worship, was the only one I possessed at the 
time ; and it was given as cheerfully as I have ever 
given one since." This was in 1800. Samuel Tait (3), 
then a young licentiate, had gone out to what is now 
Mercer County, to preach. He found a settlement 2 five 
1 Thomas Rice. 2 Cool Spring. 



HISTORY. 15 

miles from the present site of Mercer, and made an 
appointment to preach on the Sabbath. This young 
man, Thomas Rice, had worked the week before at 
making rails on the very spot where Mercer now stands, 
cutting the first tree that was felled, and had received a 
silver dollar as the proceeds of his labor. He carried 
it with him to the place of preaching to insure its safety. 
Mr. Tait preached from the words, " And they all with 
one consent began to make excuse." The sermon was 
blessed to the conversion of several persons, amongst 
them Thomas Rice. He thought he then and there was 
enabled to give his heart to God. After sermon the hat 
was passed around to take up a collection for the minis- 
ter, when Thomas Rice, showing his faith by his works, 
put in his silver dollar. 

It is astonishing to notice the amount of labor that 
was performed by these men during the first years of 
their labor in the new territory. Churches seemed 
to spring up everywhere. Many of them became self- 
sustaining in a very short time, and soon began to send 
out colonies, forming new churches that in turn became 
self-sustaining. The foundations of Zion were firmly 
laid, and the peculiar and distinctive type of their teach- 
ing became deeply impressed upon society. In many 
portions of the territory this distinctive character of doc- 
trine and practice remains clearly traceable to the pres- 
ent time. 

In many cases the harvest seemed to succeed the 
sowing with wondrous rapidity. Gracious ingather- 
ings were common in almost all the churches, and in 
some cases where the regular ministrations of the gos- 
pel were not enjoyed. Sometimes the spirit was poured 
out so copiously that a large proportion of the hearers 
were brought into the church. Robert Johnston (14) 



16 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE 

relates that during a revival in Scrubgrass congregation, 
whilst he was pastor there, fully one half of the adult 
members of the congregation were hopefully converted. 
In other cases the seed was sown, that afterwards ger- 
minated and sprung up, producing " some thirty fold, 
•some sixty, and some an hundred." 

Another feature in the policy of these early fathers 
was, that they constantly sought out promising young 
men, and encouraged them to make preparation for the 
ministry. Sometimes they instructed them at their 
'Own houses, sometimes they were sent to Cannonsburg 
or Greersburgh ; and in this way a constant succession 
of ministers were raised up, adapted to the wants of the 
country and prepared for labor in the great field. 

The people that settled this new territory were 
mainly from the eastern counties of Pennsylvania, 
Maryland, and Virginia. As a general thing they were 
of the Scotch-Irish descent, and had been taught the 
great principles of the gospel at home, in the East. 
They naturally inclined to Presbyterianism and were 
attracted to Presbyterian forms of worship. They were 
at first poor in this world's goods, living plainly and 
quietly, and generally supplying their wants from their 
own resources. Their manners and customs were most 
primitive. Articles of luxury were not often thought of, 
as utility was the great thought. The land must be 
cleared. The mighty giants of the forest must be 
felled, and their trunks burned up, to allow space for 
the plough. Houses must be built to accommodate 
the family. Food and clothing must be furnished for 
all. To bring about these ends, labor and toil must be 
endured. The neighborhood combined its efforts to 
bring about many of these results. The neighbors 
would assemble for chopping, logging, and husking 



HISTORY. 17 

frolics, as they were termed. When a house was to be 
erected, they would come together with their axes and 
other implement*, cut down trees of a suitable size, 
reduce them to a proper length, and bring them to the 
ground selected as the site for the house, notch the ends 
for the corners, and place them in position. Others 
would prepare clapboards, by splitting them from the 
trunk of a solid oak, for the roof. These were kept in 
position by logs laid upon them, keeping them down by 
their weight. The floors were made of puncheons 
split from smooth-grained chestnut or oak. The places 
for doors and windows were then cut out, and doors 
made of puncheons, with wooden hinges and latches, 
completed the outside of the building. The furniture 
on the inside was at first equally primitive. Bedsteads 
were made of rough poles. Benches and tables rudely 
constructed with the axe and auger, answered the pur- 
pose admirably. In such houses as these, the early 
ministers lived and raised their families. When father 
McGarr augli (23) came to what is now Clarion County, 
in 1804, he lived for one year in a cabin about 
fifteen feet square, with a door made of chestnut bark, 
that had been first dried in the sun. And an old elder, 1 
yet living, relates that calling once in about 1807 at the 
cabin of Johnston Eaton (20) on the Lake shore, he 
found the minister and his wife trying to keep them- 
selves protected from the beating rain. And when the 
offices of hospitality required that a fire should be 
kindled, the minister pulled the bark from the inner 
walls of the house, which was of dry logs, for that pur- 
pose. 

In such houses there was no fire-place with jambs, 
but simply a hearth and back wall. The chimney com- 

1 Wm. Dickson. 
2 



18 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

rnenced at about the height of the ceiling, and was con- 
structed of sticks split out like laths, and plastered over 
with moistened clay. The house usually consisted of a 
single room. Sometimes two cabins were built about 
ten or twelve feet apart, when a common roof ex- 
tended over both, leaving a kind of open area between. 
Church buildings were built in the same manner as 
the dwellings. Oftentimes they worshipped in the 
open air, with what was called a tent for the accom- 
modation of the minister. Generally such a building 
was completed in a single day, with all its appoint- 
ments. Frequently there was not a single nail or scrap 
of metal in the whole building. Weights kept the clap- 
boards in place, and pins made of wood furnished the 
arrangements for the doors and windows. 

In Upper Greenfield, afterwards called Middlebrook, 
in Erie County, such a church was erected. The peo- 
ple had formed a little settlement ; had built cabins 
for themselves, and were beginning to feel comfortable 
in a worldly point of view ; but they remembered the 
churches in Eastern Pennsylvania from which they 
had come, and resolved to build a house for the Lord. 
The neighborhood assembled one morning in the open- 
ing summer, with axes and oxen. Trees were cut down 
for logs and clapboards, the logs drawn to the proper 
place, notched and laid in position, the roof and floor 
laid, and the house completed by sundown. 

These churches were usually furnished with seats 
made of round logs. Sometimes they lay upon the 
ground, at other times they were raised up to the proper 
height by rude legs. Upon these logs the people sat 
and listened to the word, sometimes relieving their 
weariness by rising and standing upon their feet for a 
time, or walking about. They were not punctilious 



HISTORY. 19 

about their dress,*so that it was clean. Yery frequently, 
in summer, the men went to church without coats. 
When Mr. Porter returned to Westmoreland County, 
after visiting Mr. McPherrin's congregation near But- 
ler, Pa., " He stated that Mr. McPherrin had settled 
amongst a very poor people ; that very few of the men 
wore coats ; and that these coats were of the coarsest 
kind." 1 

The people manufactured all the material for their 
own clothing. Flax was extensively grown. This was 
broken and scutched by the family, and afterwards spun 
and woven, and made up into shirts and pantaloons. 
The female members of the household also wore cloth- 
ing made from it ; and from the same staple, table and 
bed linen was prepared. Woolen cloth was manufac- 
tured likewise by the household. Sometimes a mix- 
ture was formed of wool and flax combined, making an 
article known as " linsey woolsey." When the flannel 
was woven it was colored in a strong decoction of but- 
ternut bark, and for the fulling process, soap and water 
were placed on the cloth, and the feet of the young 
men brought into requisition, tramping and kicking it 
until fulled and thickened. All kinds of manufactur- 
ing were carried on at home, so that even in the depth 
of the forest a good degree of independence was ob- 
tained. 

Leather was tanned in large troughs cut from the 
trunks of trees, and manufactured into shoes by the 
families themselves. Hats were made of straw and 
leatherwood bark, and caps from the skins of furred 
animals. Much of the cabinet and chair making was 
performed at home. The frame of the chair was made 
of wood, unpainted and unturned, and the seat formed 

1 Dr. Young's Sermon. 



20 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

of the bark of the slippery elm, or of splits separated 
from the wood of the black ash, by pounding. 

Domestic supplies too were simple, and luxuries few. 
The field supplied grain and vegetables. Coffee was 
made from rye, first boiled, and then roasted like the 
genuine article. Tea was sometimes made from the 
boughs of the hemlock, and sometimes from the roots 
of the sassafras, while sugar was manufactured from the 
maple trees that grew in the forest. For a time, the 
great want was mills to grind the grain. It was carried 
great distances to the older settlements, and much of 
the corn was pounded in mortars for hominy. Salt and 
iron were carried on the backs of horses from the east- 
ern side of the mountains. 

Travelling in those days was on horseback. The 
mode of going to church was to bring all the horses 
that were at the command of the family into requisition, 
and then supplement the want of horse-power by walk- 
ing. A family of six might frequently be seen coming 
to church mounted upon two horses. The father would 
be mounted upon one horse, with the oldest child be- 
hind him, and the third one before him ; whilst the 
mother would be upon the other horse, with the infant 
in her arms, and the second in age behind her. Some- 
times the mother and two children would be mounted 
on a solitary horse, whilst the father walked by her side 
with his coat hung over his arm. Young ladies often 
walked a distance of several miles to church, and in 
summer would carry their shoes in their hands until 
they approached the place of worship, when they would 
stop by the wayside and place them upon their feet, and 
be prepared to present a respectable appearance at the 
sanctuary. In the early days the services of the Sab- 
bath were usually all in the day-time. They consisted 



HISTORY. 21 

of two sermons, with a recess of about half an hour 
between. During this half hour the congregation eat the 
biscuits they had brought in their pockets, walked to 
the spring for a drink of water, or wandered into the 
burial ground, that was then usually connected with the 
church, to think of the loved ones whose dust was slum- 
bering there. At the expiration of the half hour, the 
congregation would assemble as though by a similar 
impulse, seat themselves reverently, and engage in the 
worship of God. 

In those days the singing of the praise of God was 
always on the congregational plan. After the hymn 
had been announced, one, two, or three persons, called 
clerks, took their position in front of the pulpit, and 
" lined out," as it was termed, the hymn. The name 
of the tune proposed to be sung was then announced, 
when the clerk led the way, and the whole congregation 
joined in the singing. This lining out consisted in re- 
citing one and sometimes two lines of the hymn at a 
time, before singing them. The origin of the custom 
arose, perhaps, in part from the scarcity of books, and in 
part from the inability of many of the people to read ; 
but it was continued Ion & after both of these difficulties 
had been removed. In fact, it became actually a mat- 
ter of conscience with many of the old fathers, who 
insisted that the lining out was as much a part of wor- 
ship as the singing and praying. The change from 
lining out to the regular singing of the hymn was at- 
tended with many difficulties and disturbances as years 
rolled by. This lining out, too, had many grotesque 
features connected with it, that were not perhaps ob- 
served by the fathers. It was not simply reading the 
lines in a sober, decorous tone of voice ; but a whining, 
nasal, intoning of the words, marvelously like the very 



22 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

poorest class of singing that could be executed. Yet 
the people became accustomed to this kind of per- 
formance, and not only tolerated it, but considered it a 
desideratum, so that the ability to "line out" properly 
became quite an accomplishment. 

In those days the Sabbath services were long and 
tedious. The whole day was usually devoted to the 
service. Soon after ten o'clock in the morning the 
people began to assemble, and it was nearly night when 
they returned home. Long psalms or hymns were 
sung ; long prayers were offered up ; and very long ser- 
mons were preached. If the day was warm the minister 
laid off his coat and cravat, and proceeded deliberately 
from firstly to twelfthly. The ancient mode of sermon- 
izing was perhaps formal, yet it was so arranged that the 
hearers could readily retain it in their memories. The 
text was announced ; then followed a general, easy in- 
troduction to the whole subject. The matter was usu- 
ally divided into three general heads, and these subdivi- 
ded into three or four branches, and the whole wound 
up with the application. The sermon often occupied an 
hour and a half, making some three hours of preaching, 
besides the other parts of the service. Yet the people 
did not complain of weariness. If sleepy or weary of 
sitting, they could stand up. or walk about, until rested. 

Sacramental occasions were great days in the history 
of the fathers. They usually embraced the services of 
four days. The first day was usually Thursday, and set 
apart as a " Fast Day." It was observed precisely as 
the Sabbath. No work was done, and everything was 
quiet throughout whole neighborhoods, as the Sabbath 
itself. In some cases it was observed as a literal fast 
day by abstaining from food, but when this was not 
done, there was abstinence from labor. The second 



HISTORY. 23 

day of the service was Saturday, and after the preach- 
ing the session of the church met for the purpose of 
receiving applications for membership in the church. 
" Tokens" were also distributed to the members of the 
church, admitting them to the communion the following 
day. These " tokens " were simple bits of lead, with 
the initial letters of the name of the congregation upon 
them ; as " F. C," denoting " Fairview Congregation." 
These bits of lead were distributed by the pastor and 
elders on Saturday and Sabbath mornings to all who 
wished to unite in communion, or who were in good 
standing in the church. After the communicants had 
seated themselves at the table, the elders collected 
these tokens, when the services proceeded. This prac- 
tice of distributing tokens was evidently brought from 
Scotland and Ireland. Its object, no doubt, was to ex- 
clude unworthy communicants, especially at times when 
a large number present were strangers. But it is ex- 
tremely doubtful whether it was ever of any practical 
advantage. After their use began to be discontinued, 
a good old elder who had never even dreamed that a 
communion could be held without them, was dreadfully 
horrified by a facetious minister advising him to put his 
tokens in his gun and shoot them at the crows. 

The communion Sabbath, as it was observed by our 
fathers, has been thus aptly described by the author of 
"Old Redstone" 1 : — 

" The action sermons, as they were called, on com- 
munion Sabbaths, were generally preached by the pas- 
tors, or resident ministers ; this was considered pecul- 
iarly proper. And we must remember that perhaps 
fully one half of the audience were not his ordinary 
hearers. Then followed what was called fencing the 

1 Page 158. 



24 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

tables. This was often tedious, occupying an hour or 
more. Not unfrequently there was a regular review of 
all the sins forbidden in each of the Ten Command- 
ments. And it was remarked by the profane, that the 
preacher never stopped until he had solemnly debarred 
from the ordinances every one of his people, and him- 
self besides. Our old ministers, however, seldom in- 
dulged in such lengthened details as the Seceders were 
said to be in the practice of doing, forbidding and de- 
barring various classes of offenders, that were not to 
be found among them, such as stage-players and vis- 
itants of theatres ; and yet it must be confessed that 
our venerable fathers took this occasion to pour out a 
great deal ' de omnibus rebus, et quibusdem aliis.'" 

Concerning this same matter of fencing tables, there 
was no doubt call for admonition and warning, yet 
withal it savored of harshness and severity. It must 
have been oftentimes gall and wormwood to the trem- 
bling, fearful Christian, needing, instead of such words, 
encouragement and assurance. One who remembers 
those old scenes, makes the remark that on such occa- 
sions there were usually two ministers, one of whom 
debarred every person from coming by the strictness of 
his charge ; when the other would censure, and upbraid, 
and reproach every one for not coming, when the invi- 
tation was so free. It must be confessed that in those 
days the spirit of John the Baptist seemed to charac- 
terize the preaching, more than that of John the beloved 
disciple. 

The ordinance was in those days always connected 
with the literal, use of tables. Sometimes there was 
accommodation for all to partake at the same time ; if 
not, there were two or more tables just as circumstances 
might require. In this way the services became often 



HISTORY. 25 

very tedious and even exhausting-. There were usually 
two or more ministers in attendance, who divided the 
labors between or amongst them. Still the exercises on 
such occasions were exhausting. 

Oftentimes these services were held in the woods. 
Indeed this was usually the case in the summer season, 
for no house of worship, then in use, would have con- 
tained the people. This woods' service was in connec- 
tion with what was called a tent, for the accommodation 
of the ministers. The tent was simply a stand, such as 
is used at political and Fourth of July meetings at the 
present time. The seats were simple logs raised to the 
proper height, with intervening aisles for the accom- 
modation of the people. 

The fourth day of the service was Monday following 
the Sabbath, when the services were concluded. To 
these old-fashioned communion services, the people 
came from far and near. It was nothing unusual to come 
a distance of ten or twelve miles. It was also usual for 
strangers to spend the evenings of Saturday and Sab- 
bath in the congregation, and many a house in near 
proximity to the place of worship was literally packed 
with guests ; and these guests expected to enact the 
part of host to their entertainers on some similar occa- 
sion. In this way sociability was cultivated, as well as 
practical godliness. 

Great attention was paid to the Shorter Catechism. 
All parents were expected to have it taught to their 
children, and to retain it likewise in their own memo- 
ries. No one was supposed to be too old to be called 
on to repeat his " Questions." Indeed it was custom- 
ary to have the catechism taught in the common schools. 
Nor was it common to find any objections raised to the 
practice in the schools. It was the custom to have the 



26 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

questions asked in families every Sabbath evening, in 
the assembled household. In addition to this, the min- 
ister examined the entire congregation once in each 
year. Usually during one year, whilst making pastoral 
visitations, the catechism was reviewed in each family, 
separately ; during the next year public examinations 
were held in certain districts of the congregation, when 
all had an opportunity of showing their promptness and 
diligence in this matter. 

It was under these circumstances, and in these times, 
that the Presbytery of Erie, the mother Presbytery of 
the Synod of Alleghany, set up its gates and entered 
upon its great work. From feeble beginnings, it grad- 
ually extended its influence until it became the mother 
of Presbyteries, and sent its missionaries to the aborig- 
ines of our own country, to the far distant nations of 
heathenism, as well as to every State and Territory of 
the Great West. 



CHAPTER II. 

FROM THE ERECTION OF THE PRESBYTERY, TO THE 
FIRST DIVISION. 

1801-1808. 

The" Presbytery of Erie was erected by the Synod of 
Virginia, in 1801. It was the third Presbytery that 
was organized, west of the Alleghany Mountains. 
Redstone had been organized in 1781, and Ohio in 
1798. The territory of these latter Presbyterians was 
large, and the way opening for the rapid spread of 
population ; and material seemed abundant for a new 
Presbytery. Presbyterianism was aggressive as re- 
garded the world and Satan, and its founders here were 
fully up to the times and to its spirit. So they desired a 
new Presbytery, that the new and promising field might 
be more readily occupied. There was probably another 
reason for its formation. The territory was within the 
bounds of the Synod of Virginia. The journey to meet- 
ings of Synod was laborious and burdensome. The 
Western members must cross the mountains and be ex- 
posed not only to fatigue but actual danger in accom- 
plishing it. Besides, the great work of keeping the in- 
stitutions of relioion abreast with the extending settle- 
ment of the country could be best attended to by erect- 
ing a Synod upon the new territory. This could only 
be done by first erecting a third Presbytery. Ac- 



28 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

cordingly, on petition of the members of the Presby- 
teries of Redstone and Ohio, the new Presbytery was 
erected. The following is the minute of Synod in the 
matter : — 

"At a meeting of Synod held at Winchester (Va.), 
October 2d, 1801, at the unanimous request of the 
members present from the Presbyteries of Redstone 
and Ohio, the Synod did and hereby do erect the 
Rev. Messrs. Thomas [Edgar 1 ] Hughes (1), William 
Wick (2), Samuel Tait (3), Joseph Stockton (4), and 
Robert Lee (5), together with all the congregations 
north and northwest of the Ohio and Alleghany riv- 
ers, unto the place where the Ohio River crosses the 
western boundary of Pennsylvania, into a separate 
Presbytery, to be called the Presbvtery of Erie, and ap- 
pointed their first meeting to be held at Mount Pleas- 
ant, on the second Tuesday of April next. William 
Wick was appointed to open the Presbytery with a 
sermon, and to preside until a new Moderator be 
chosen." 

In obedience to this order of Synod, the Presbytery 
of Erie met at Mount Pleasant in Beaver County, Penn- 
sylvania, at the time appointed, April 13, 1802, and was 
opened with a sermon by Mr. Wick, on the words, " And 
the government shall be upon his shoulder' 7 (Isaiah 
ix. 6). 

After constituting with prayer, the following persons 
were found present to be enrolled, namely: Thomas 
Edgar Hughes, William Wick, Samuel Tait, Joseph 
Stockton, and Robert Lee, ministers, with three elders, 
William Plumer, John Menteith, and William Waddell. 
James Satterfield (6) and William Wylie (7) having 
settled within the bounds of Presbytery since the ac- 

1 The middle name does not occur in the minute. 



HISTORY. 29 

tion of Synod, and having been dismissed from the 
Presbytery of Ohio for the purpose, were considered 
as members, and their names enrolled. Elder Ithiel 
Dodd was enrolled on the second day of the session. 

Mr. Hughes was chosen Moderator, and Mr. Tait 
Clerk for the ensuing year. Mr. Wick was the first 
stated clerk of Presbytery. The territory embraced by 
the new Presbytery was taken from that of Redstone 
and Ohio, although all the original members were or- 
dained by the Presbytery of Ohio. This territory was 
large, embracing what are now the counties of Beaver, 
Butler, Mercer, Crawford, Erie, Lawrence, and Venango, 
with portions of Warren and Clarion, in Pennsylvania, 
the whole of the Western Reserve in Ohio, with Chau- 
tauque County, New York. 

The seven ministers who were now upon the roil of 
Presbytery were all settled at this time. Mr. Hughes 
was pastor of Mount Pleasant and New Salem. He 
had been ordained and installed on the 28th of August, 
1799, by the Presbytery of Ohio. Mr. Wick was pas- 
tor at Hopewell, now in Lawrence County, Pa., and 
Youngstown, now in Mahoning County, Ohio. He had 
been ordained and installed on the 3d day of Septem- 
ber, 1800, by the same Presbytery. Mr. Tait was pastor 
of Cool Spring and Upper Salem, in Mercer County, 
Pa,, ordained and installed November 19, 1800. Mr. 
Stockton was pastor at Meadville and Sugar Creek (now 
Cochranton), Crawford County, Pa., ordained and in- 
stalled June 24, 1801. Mr. Lee was pastor at Rocky 
Spring and Amity, Mercer County, Pa. He had been 
ordained and installed June 26, 1801. Mr. Satterfield 
was pastor at Moorfield, and Neshannock, Mercer 
County, Pa., ordained and installed March 3, 1802. 
Mr. Wylie was pastor at Fairfield and Upper and Lower 



30 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Sandy, in Mercer and Venango counties, ordained and 
installed March oth, 1802. 

Mr. Hughes, who heads the long roll of this Presby- 
tery, was the first minister settled in the territory north 
and northwest of the Ohio and Alleghany rivers. The 
nucleus of his charge was constituted of several families 
that had emigrated from Washington and Westmore- 
land counties, and settled on the Beaver River, some 
ten or twelve miles above the town of Beaver. 1 The 
war-whoop of the Indian was still heard and his war- 
path still traced, at the time of their coming. There 
were a number of pious families in this settlement, and 
feeling the importance of the regular ministry, they 
applied to Dr. McMillan and other of the pioneer min- 
isters to send one of their young men to settle among 
them as their pastor. Mr. Hughes, a graduate of 
Princeton College, who had just completed his theolog- 
ical studies at Dr. McMillan's log seminary, was sent to 
visit them. " He was/ 7 says Mr. Munson (28), u a young 
man of good address, of ardent feelings, and of genuine 
piety. I subsequently became a member of his church, 
and well remember the searching nature of his preach- 
ing. He labored much to remove all false confidence, 
and to shake to the foundation all deceptive hopes." 

Mr. Hughes continued the pastor of the church of 
Mount Pleasant more than thirty years. Many interest- 
ing incidents are related in connection with his life and 
labors at this place. The following was communicated 
by a member of the church, who was present at the 
time of the occurrence. The congregation had assem- 
bled in a grove on a communion occasion. The com- 
municants were about going to the tables, when the 
heavens became overcast. The clouds rolled their 

1 Munson's letter to Dr. Plumer, Pres. Mag. vii. 463. 



HISTORY. 31 

sombre folds athwart the sky, and there was every ap- 
pearance of a great rain. Mr. Hughes arose and 
prayed most earnestly, that, if consistent with the 
Divine will, the rain might be stayed, and his people 
permitted to commune in peace. After this, it was 
noticed by the whole assemblage, that the clouds 
quickly dispersed, and there was no rain. 

Mr. Wick was the pioneer missionary in the Western 
Reserve, or New Connecticut, as it was then called. 
For some time he labored alone, serving his people 
at Youngstown and Hopewell, and making occasional 
tours amongst the Indians. He retained his first charge 
until his death in 1815. 

Mr. Tait had much of the missionary spirit. He 
was endued with great physical strength and endu- 
rance, and used them well in the Master's cause. Having 
been sent out by the Presbytery of Ohio in the spring of 
1800, to preach where he could find hearers, he came to 
a settlement called Cool Spring, in Mercer County, Pa., 
and about five miles from where the town of Mercer now 
stands. Having preached on the Sabbath, he told the 
people that if they would procure a lot and build a 
church, he would come and preach to them. A lot was 
at once promised, and the next Thursday appointed as 
the day when the people would assemble to build a 
meeting-house. On the day appointed they assembled 
with their axes. The site was selected. u Axes were 
lifted up upon the thick trees," the forest resounded 
with the blows made by sinewy and willing arms. The 
bodies of the rough logs were cut off the proper length, 
but were too heavy to be brought into position, al- 
though near to the site of the building. There was but 
one team in all the settlement, and that was a yoke of 
oxen belonging to a professed infidel. It would not do 



32 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

to ask him to bring his team for such a purpose. Just 
as the necessity became pressing, Mr. S. was seen 
approaching with his oxen, crying out with his great 
merry voice, " Here comes the devil with his oxen, to 
help you build your meeting-house." The work then 
went gayly forward. 

The next important thing was the appearance of 
Thomas McLean, with a small flat keg of whiskey under 
his arm. This was placed in Mr. Tait's hands, when all 
took a drink, beginning with the minister and ending 
with the donor himself. Three cheers were then given 
for Thomas McLean, with the promise that when the 
church was organized he should be the first elder. 
This promise was afterward fulfilled and Mr. McLean 
was the first elder that was elected. 

By sundown, the church was built, covered with clap- 
boards, floored with' puncheons, and round logs rolled 
in for seats. The house was so located that a huge 
stump answered the purpose of a pulpit, with two 
puncheons set upright in front, and one across secured 
to the ujDrights with pins, on which the Bible might be 
placed. A puncheon seat for the minister completed 
the arrangement. Here was a building that afforded 
the people ample room and abundant comfort in the 
worship of God. 

But luxury soon began to creep in to trouble the 
church. After a time one of the members of the con- 
gregation had a bench made and set in the church for 
his family to sit upon. During the recess on the next 
day of worship, little groups might have been seen dis- 
cussing the matter of the new bench ; some affirming 
that such pride should not be tolerated, and that if his 
neighbors could sit on a log to hear the gospel preached, 
William McMillan could do the same, as neither he nor 



HISTORY. 33 

his family were better than others. Others affirmed 
that if William McMillan could afford a bench with 
legs to it, he had a right to have one. The contention, 
like that between Paul and Barnabas, waxed exceeding 
sharp, but was finally settled by the minister declaring 
for the largest liberty, each one being permitted to pro- 
vide such a seat as he chose. 

Soon the first house was found too small to contain 
the people. The difficulty was remedied by cutting out 
the logs from one side of the building and erecting a 
kind of shed as an addition. Subsequently, as the con- 
gregation increased, another shed was erected on the 
other side. 

Joseph Stockton was probably the youngest man ever 
ordained in the bounds of the Presbytery. He was but 
a few months past twenty at the time of his licensure, 
and a little past twenty-two at his ordination. His 
pastorate of ten years, at Meadville, was succeeded by 
labors in teaching and the preparation of school books. 

Robert Lee was twenty-nine years of age when he 
entered the ministry. His was a life of labor, accom- 
panied with a calm patience and patriarchal dignity that 
was peculiar to his age. 

James Satterfield, with his tall, erect form and self- 
denying labor, won a respect that was remarkable even 
in his day. He was a godly man and lived very near to 
Christ. 

Dr. William Wylie, the last of those who constituted 
the first Presbytery, was a zealous pastor and a most 
earnest preacher. His letters that are extant, and writ- 
ten during his last days, possess a wondrous savor of 
piety and a richness of unction that would place them 
on a level with those of Rutherford. 

Of the four elders at this meeting, William Plume r 
3 



84 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

was the father of Rev. W. S. Plumer, D. D., and Ithiel 
Dodd belonged to a family for two centuries remark- 
able for two characteristics — piety, simple and child- 
like, and a talent for mathematics. 

The first two licentiates that were taken under the 
care of the Presbytery, were John (8) and Abraham 
Boyd (9). They were two Irish boys, educated in this 
country and licensed by the Presbytery of Redstone. 
In those days, " supplications " for supplies were the 
constant order of the day. At the first meeting, there 
were supplications from " Slippery Rock, Westfield, 
Lower Neshannock, Breakneck, Thorn's Tent, Concord, 
Franklin, Big Sugar Creek, Oil Creek, Gravel Run, 
Upper and Lower Greenfield, Middlebrook, Presque 
Isle, Powers' Mills, Crossings of Cussawaga and Pyma- 
tuning." 

The infant Presbytery seems to have set up its ban- 
ners in the name of the Lord. Almost the first reso- 
lution passed was, to seek God's help in the great work : 
" Presbytery taking into consideration their infant 
state, and the growing prospects of the new settlement 
under their care, and the necessity of Divine influence 
to aid and direct them in their arduous work, do re- 
solve to spend part of to-morrow in supplication and 
prayer." 

The matter of education, and facilities for the prep- 
aration of young men for the gospel ministry, occupied 
the attention of Presbytery at its first meeting. Their 
resolution is to this effect : " Presbytery proceeded to 
take into consideration the necessity of a seminary of 
learning being instituted within their bounds for the 
education of youth ; Resolved, To give their aid to erect 
an academy at Greersburgh, and to solicit the aid of 
their respective charges." Greersburgh is now known 



HISTORY. 35 

as Darlington, in Beaver County, Pa. This academy 
was long an efficient aid in the great work of fitting young 
men for the ministry. Sometimes they pursued their 
studies there preparatory to Jefferson College, but many 
received all their classical education within its walls. 

It was commenced in 1806. The legislature of the 
State appropriated six hundred dollars towards it, when 
the charter was granted. The first teacher was Mr. 
Hughes ; afterwards it was taught by Rev. Robert Dil- 
worth, D. D. This academy was the result, principally, 
of the labors of Mr. Hughes, who travelled over the 
New England States, soliciting funds for its establish- 
ment. Before the erection of the academy building, 
he built a log cabin near his own residence that served 
as a school-room. 

At this meeting the Boyd brothers, having accepted 
calls to settle within the bounds of Presbytery, were 
examined with a view to ordination, and were assigned 
subjects for trial sermons to be delivered at the next 
meeting. 

Messrs. Tait and Satterfield were the first Commis- 
sioners to the General Assembly. Presbytery adjourned 
to meet at Union, Armstrong County, on the loth of 
June, 1802, with the following order: " That mem- 
bers endeavor to bring forward, at our next fall meet- 
ing, an account of the time of their settlement, state of 
religion, number of families and communicants, and the 
number of baptisms in the congregations under their 
care." 

And thus the Presbytery commenced its labors, few 
in number yet strong in faith. There was much land 
to be possessed, yet they trusted in God, and went for- 
ward. 

In addition to the preaching of Mr. Hughes in the 



36 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

southern portion of the territory, perhaps the first in 
the extreme north was during the celebrated tour of 
Elisha McCurdy and Joseph Stockton. This was in 
1799. They preached at Sandy (perhaps the present 
Georgetown), Meadville, Waterford, Erie, North East, 
and other places. 1 In 1802 another missionary tour 
through the same region was undertaken by McCurdy, 
Satterfield, and McPherrin (16), with McCurdy's " pray- 
ing elder," Philip Jackson, organizing churches and 
strengthening the brethren. 

At this time the churches of Upper and Lower 
Greenfield were organized in Erie County, Pa. There 
were many people scattered through this region who 
had come from the counties east of the Alleghany 
Mountains, and some from Washington and Westmore- 
land, west of the mountains. They remembered the 
God of their fathers, and welcomed the pioneer minis- 
ters most gladly. There was a large Presbyterian ele- 
ment in all their early settlements, and for very many 
years the great religious element of the country was of 
this type of faith. 

The organization of a church there was a most 
important era in the history of the people, and the dis- 
pensing of the ordinances made them feel that the 
trials and privations of the new settlements were pass- 
ing away. 

And when the people of what is now Venango Town- 
ship, Erie County, Pa., met together to build a house of 
worship, it was a matter of more interest to them than 
they had felt in the erection of their own houses. It 
was with the thought that God would be with them, 
and be their God. 

We have a minute account of the building of this 

* Dr. Elliott's Life of McCurdy, p. 29. 



HISTORY. 37 

house, and the circumstances attending it, in an old 
journal written by William Dickson, Esq., formerly of 
Erie County, Pa., but now of Camden, Illinois. An ex- 
tract follows : — 

" Some time in August, 1801, a notice was sent to Mr. 
James Hunter, an old man, who the spring previous 
had emigrated to what is now Yenango Township, Erie 
County. He had been an elder in Dr. Bryson's church 
in Northumberland County, and was to notify the people 
that the Rev. James Satterfield (6), a missionary, would 
preach at a place designated by them, on the following 
Sabbath. The notice was given, I believe, to every in- 
dividual in the township ; and the place fixed upon for 
the meeting was at a ' chopping' made by Robert Don- 
aldson, on the bank of French Creek, near the centre of 
the town. Four or five of us, all young men, went on 
the ground on Saturday, to prepare a place for worship. 
We selected a spot under a large beech-tree ; we split 
a large log, turning the split sides up, and raising them 
a little from the ground made a platform. We then 
squared a block for a seat, placing it on the platform 
near the tree, which made a good stiff backing ; we 
then drove two stakes into the ground in front, pinning 
and nailing a clapboard across the top, to lay the Bible 
and Psalm Book on. I am thus particular in describing 
the first pulpit from which I ever heard the gospel in 
Erie County. 

u Sabbath morning came, and every man and woman 
within our township was gathered, I believe, around the 
beech-tree. About the hour appointed, the minister 
came ; he had lost his way the evening previous, hav- 
ing nothing but marked trees for a guide, and had lain 
out all night. In the morning he found a cabin where 
two young men lived ; they gave him a good breakfast 



38 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

of indian bread and potatoes, and having his inner man 
strengthened, he appeared to come unto the work in 
the Spirit, and preached two sermons, and administered 
the ordinance of baptism. He stated it was possible 
the Synod of Pittsburgh would send us some more 
preaching that Fall. After preaching, and before the 
people dispersed, Mr. Hunter called several of us young 
men around him, and said, i Boys' (for by that name 
he always called us), ' I want you all to meet me at a 
certain land corner (naming it) on next Thursday 
morning early, and bring your axes and dinners with 
you.' That was enough ; we all knew what was want- 
ing, and at the time appointed we were there almost to 
a man. The old man then stated the reasons for call- 
ing us together. He said the Lord had been mindful 
of us in that wilderness, and had sent us the gospel by 
the mouth of one of his servants, and we had no house 
to meet in, but heard it, as you know, under the beech- 
tree, in the open air. Now, if we wish to prosper, 
while we build houses for ourselves, we must build 
one for God ; and he had selected that spot, as it was 
the centre of the township. 

" As the large hemlock-tree which marked the cor- 
ner stood in a swamp, — a place by no means suitable 
for our purpose, — a young man, whose name was War- 
ren, said that if we would agree to go a half or three 
quarters of a mile north, he would show us a good 
place on his land, where there was a fine spring of 
water, and he would give us a deed of two acres, if 
we chose that spot. 

" As it would shorten Father Hunter's distance in 
coming to meeting, which was no small consideration 
with us, we at once shouldered our axes and followed 
our leader to the spot ; and that day, before sundown, 



HISTORY. 39 

we had cleared the ground, and built a habitation for 
the Most High to dwell in. 1 In the evening, before we 
parted, Father Hunter called us around a large stump, 
and explained the propriety of supporting the gospel. 
He said that those men who came to preach to us, suf- 
fered so much in travelling through the wilderness that 
they ought to be well paid, and it would be best for us 
to have a fund on hand for that purpose. He also said 
that he had made a calculation of the amount required 
to begin w r ith, and it would be best to appoint a treas- 
urer, and each one pay twenty - five cents. We all 
stepped up to the stump and laid dowm our money, 
mostly fifty cents ; when w r e had all paid, the good old 
man laid down a dollar ; and on seeing him do so, one 
of the party said : ' Father Hunter, you shall not go 
ahead of me,' and took up the fifty cents he had paid 
and laid down a dollar. Thus commenced a fund 
which never failed during my residence in that con- 
gregation of over twelve years, and I never knew a 
minister to preach in that place (who w T as a Presby- 
terian) but was paid promptly. A few days after we 
had built our house of worship, notice came that the 
Rev. James Satterfield and Rev. Elisha Mc Curdy were 
expected to preach, and organize a church in our new 
meeting-house. They came, and each brought his wife 
with him. They came on horseback, picking their way 
through woods, in many places only by lines marked on 
the trees ; encountering swamps, and every other obsta- 
cle imaginable, all without complaining. Here I will 
relate a little circumstance about Mrs. Mc Curdy. In 
passing through, they lodged for a night with one of 
my neighbors, whose cabin was very small and had but 

1 This house is still standing. A drawing of it may be seen in Miss 
Sanford's History of Erie County. 



40 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

one bed (that used by the man and his wife), and a 
bunk in the corner for three or four children. Mrs. 
McCurdy saw that her hostess was preparing the bed 
for the strangers, and said, ' I perceive that you are 
giving yourself unnecessary trouble for us. Is not that 
the bed which you and your husband occupy ? ' ' Yes/ 
was the reply. She said, 4 Then sleep in it ; all we ask 
is room in your house, and I will provide a bed for me 
and Mr. McCurdy ; the floor will do for us.' The 
woman insisted that they should take the bed. ' Where 
will you sleep ? ' was the next question. ' O, some- 
where here,' she replied. ' You shall not leave your 
bed for me' said Mrs. McCurdy; 'my Master had not 
where to lay his head, and we have saddle-bags and 
blankets, and a house to shelter us.' By this time I 
found there was no room for me, so I went out to a 
stack where there was some straw, and made a nest 
under the side of it, where I slept comfortably. 

" From thence they went to Lower Greenfield, now 
North East, and organized a church, and returned to our 
log meeting-house, and organized a church, and called 
it Middlebrook. Mr. McCurdy preached the sermon 
from these words, ' My sheep hear my voice, and I 
know them, and they follow me.' " 

At the second meeting of Presbytery, another licenti- 
ate was taken under its care. This was William Wood 
(10), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Ohio. At this 
meeting, John and Abraham Boyd were both ordained 
and installed, the former June 16, 1802, as pastor of 
Union and Slate Lick ; the latter on the following day, 
as pastor of Bull Creek and Middlesex. All these 
churches are in what is now Armstrong County, Pa. 

The ordination of John Boyd was the first act of that 
kind performed by the Presbytery. There is one fea- 



HISTORY. 41 

ture connected with these early ordinations that is wor- 
thy of our attention. They were always accompanied 
by " fasting," as well as prayer, and the imposition of 
the hands of the Presbytery. 

At a pro re nata meeting of Presbytery held at 
Pittsburgh, September 30, 1802, Robert Patterson, 
a licentiate of the Presbytery of Ohio, was received 
under its care, and accepted calls from the churches of 
Erie, and Upper and Lower Greenfield. 

The next meeting was at Plaingrove, November 2, 

1802, when William Wood was ordained and installed 
as pastor of the churches of Plaingrove and Centre, in 
Mercer County, Pa. 

At the meeting held at Rocky Spring, April 12> 

1803, Alexander Cook (12), a licentiate of the Pres- 
bytery of Ohio, was received under the care of Pres- 
bytery. At the same time it was resolved to solicit 
from the General Assembly a donation of religious 
books, to be granted to such inhabitants as may not 
be able to supply themselves. This appeal was success- 
ful, and the Assembly granted them the following list 
of books : twenty Bibles, forty copies Doddridge's 
" Rise and Progress," thirty Janeway's u Token," eight 
" Russell's Sermons," eight Boston's " Crook in the 
Lot " and eight Willison's " Sacramental Meditations." 

This grant was followed by the following order : — 
" That the Treasurer take charge of the books, pay the 
carriage on them, and distribute as follows : the Bibles 
given gratis to such poor people as need them, the 
others to be divided equally amongst the ministers, and 
by them circulated amongst such people as need them, 
until they are called for by Presbytery." * 

Here we find cropping out the germs of many of the 
1 Min. ofPres. vol. i. p. 15. 



42 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Boards that are now the glory and crown of the Church, 
missions to the Indians, missions at home, education 
and publication — all are found in the bud and ready to 
be developed. 

On the 13th of April, 1803, Presbytery received the 
first ordained minister into its bounds. This was Joseph 
Badger (11), the famous missionary from Connecticut. 
His life was one of romance, and yet one of sternest 
reality. Born and reared in poverty, struggling always 
with adversity and discouragements, he yet performed 
labor and achieved results, such as few men even of 
his day were able to accomplish. His famous journey 
from Connecticut to Ohio, during the depth of winter, 
with his four-horse team, sometimes on wheels and 
sometimes on runners, will long be remembered as one 
of the heroic labors that characterized the early settle- 
ments of the West. His wonderful versatility of gen- 
ius, admirably adapted him to the peculiar work in 
which he was engaged. He was at home equally in his 
cabin, on horseback swimming the rivers, in the Indian 
wigwams preaching Christ, and in the depth of the 
forest, sleeping at the root of a tree, his head pillowed 
upon a stone like Jacob's, or hiding from beasts of prey 
in the tree-tops. He was a remarkable man, and lived 
to see fourscore and ten years. 

As an instance of the demand for supplies, the fol- 
lowing minute, made in 1803, is reproduced : " Fair- 
view, Westfield, Poland, Warren (O.), Trumbull, Beula, 
Pymatuning, Conneautee, Outlet of Conneaut, Hilands, 
Saltspring, Concord, Gravel Run, Middlebrook, Beaver- 
town, Franklin, Titus's, Hugh Mc Girl's on Pithole, An- 
drews' on Brokenstraw, Jackson's on Conewango, Rob- 
ert Miles', Major Gray's on French Creek, Mount Nebo, 
Sugar Creek, Smithfield, and Can field (0.)." Here is 



HISTORY. 43 

a region of country extending along Lake Erie for 
thirty miles, thence south to Beaver one hundred and 
thirty miles ; and from Warren, Pa., on the east, to 
"Warren and Canfield, Ohio, on the west, and embracing 
territory and points that are still, after the lapse of sixty- 
five years, considered as missionary ground. And at 
this time the whole force of the Presbytery consisted 
of but twelve ministers. 

On the 22d of June, 1803, Alexander Cook was or- 
dained and installed as pastor of the congregations of 
Slippery Rock and New Castle, formerly called Lower 
Neshannock. The former church was in what is now 
Beaver County, and the latter Lawrence County, Pa. 
On the same day Robert Johnston (14), a licentiate of 
the Presbytery of Ohio, was received under the care of 
Presbytery. On the 31st of August following, Robert 
Patterson was ordained and installed as pastor of the 
congregations of Upper and Lower Greenfield. These 
churches are now known, the former as Middlebrook 
and the latter North East. They are in Erie County, 
Pa., and at present in the New School connection. 

Mr. Patterson was the first settled minister in Erie 
County. He took frequent missionary tours, in the 
region along the shore of Lake Erie. A brief journal, 
kept during one of these tours, will convey some idea 
of the character of the work : — 

" Saturday, Nov. 5, 1803. Set off from the place of 
my residence, at the mouth of the Twelve Mile Creek, 
below Presque Isle. Rode thirty miles to the house of 
Thomas Miles, on Elk Creek. 

" Nov. 6, Sabbath. Rode nine miles to Lexington, on 
the Great Conneaut. Met this morning, at different 
places on the road, one man carrying a hoe, shovel, and 
basket, going into his potato field ; another carrying a 



44 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

log chain ; and a third a cutting knife. Besides these 
met several others on their return from a Saturday 
night's lodging in a tavern, after having attended at the 
office of a justice, whose custom jt is to transact law 
business on Saturdays, and so late that those who are 
obliged to appear before him are under the necessity, 
some with and a few against their will, of staying all 
night in a place where drunkenness, profanity, and 
obscenity too frequently introduce the Sabbath. 

" Preached at the house of , from John iii. 

19, 20, to eighteen hearers, some not very attentive, and 
no appearance of solemnity. Rode in the evening 
three miles to the house of C. Woods and Dr. Hast- 
ings, near the Great Conneaut. 

" Nov. 7, Monday. Preached from Joshua xxiv. 15, 
to eleven persons, attentive and serious. Rode in the 
evening three or four miles to John Saton's, near Great 
Conneaut. 

" Nov. 8, Tuesday. Rode eight or nine miles to Sam- 
uel Holliday's on the lake, near the mouth of Crooked 
Creek. Preached from Matt. iii. 9, to seven persons. 

" Nov. 9, Wednesday. Rode eleven miles to Widow 
McCreary's, near Walnut Creek. Preached from Acts 
iii. 19, to twenty persons. Received $1.37. Rode in 
the evening two miles to Mr. McCoy's. 

" Nov. 10, Thursday. Rode twenty miles home. 

"Nov. 12, Saturday. Set out for Waterford, alias 
Le Boeuf, on French Creek, distant twenty-two miles, 
the road solitary, swampy, and in some places covered 

with deep snow Towards evening, when 

within five or six miles of my destination and near 
Le Boeuf Creek, was led astray by the devious track of 
two travellers, who had wandered themselves, and were 
the cause of my wandering Two or three 



HISTORY. 45 

hours after night, came to a watercourse, seen by snow- 
light, which was too broad and miry to cross. Pre- 
pared to pass the night as well as I could. All in a 
perspiration, my feet wet with walking and wading, for 
the place did not admit of riding, hungry and fatigued, 
I lay down on the slushy snow, somewhat afraid of wild 
beasts, but more of perishing with the chilling cold, 
though it did not freeze. About midnight the cold in 
my feet became excessive. Rose and walked for about 
an hour on a path which I made in the snow for the 
purpose. My feet were somewhat relieved from the cold. 
Lay down again and passed the night sometimes awake 
but mostly asleep. 

"Nov. 13, Sabbath. In the morning, after having 
spent eleven or twelve hours in this dreary place, and 
after having suffered severer hardships than I ever 
before endured in travelling, and feeling some sense of 
my obligation to God for His preserving mercy, took 
my track backward, and between nine and ten o'clock 
reached the house of John Bundle. Preached from 
Acts ii. 38, to ten persons. 

" Nov. 14, Monday. Rode eighteen miles home. 

" Nov. 16, Wednesday. Rode ten miles to the house 
of John Culver. Preached to six persons — home in 
the evening. 

" Nov, 19, Saturday. Rode seventeen miles to 
Adam Reed's, on French Creek. 

"Nov. 20, Sabbath. Rode nine miles to Matthew 
Gray's, and preached from Eph. vi. 4, to eighteen per- 
sons. 

"Nov. 21, Monday. Rode nine miles to Adam 
Reed's. Lectured to twenty persons on the parable of 
the sower, Matt. xiii. Received one dollar. In the 
evening rode seven miles to Thomas McGahan's. 



46 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

" Nov. 22, Tuesday. Rode ten miles to Wilson 
Smith's, in Waterford, alias Le Boeuf. 

"Nov. 23, Wednesday. Preached in the town at the 
house of Esquire Vincent, to eleven persons, from Acts 
xvii. 18. Rode in the evening eight miles to John 
Philips'. 

" Nov. 24, Thursday. Set out about sunrise, having 
appointed to preach at the house of P. Clooke, distant 
eleven or twelve miles. The road, however, was so 
extremely bad with mud, frost, and snow, and the day 
wet, that at twelve o'clock I found that I could not 
reach the place until two or three hours after the time 
appointed ; and not being well since the night I lay in 
the snow, rode home from John Philips', seventeen or 
eighteen miles. 

" Nov. 26, Saturday. Rode twenty miles to the 
house of James McMahan, living in a new settlement 
in the State of New York, situated about Chautauque 
Creek, that empties into Lake Erie. 

" Nov. 27, Sabbath. Preached on 1 Cor. iv. at Wid- 
ow McHenry's, to fifteen grown persons and a greater 
number of children. Received one dollar. 

" Nov. 28. Monday. Rode twenty miles from James 
McMahan's house. 

This journal gives a mere sample of the every-day 
labors of these early missionaries. As a general thing 
the study and preparation were confined to the saddle 
and the brief tarrying at the log-cabins by the wayside, 
whilst the preaching was often of daily occurrence — in 
the forest, in the dwelling-house, or wherever a few 
people could be assembled. 

On the 19th day of October, 1803, Robert Johnston 
was ordained and installed as pastor of the congrega- 



HISTORY. 47 

tions of Scrubgrass and Bear Creek, in Yenango 
County, Pa. 

This was a most interesting field of labor. The first, 
or at least amongst the first families, that came to set- 
tle in Scrubgrass, was that of Mrs. Abigail Coulter, a 
pious woman from Washington County, Pennsylvania. 
She carne out in 1797. The first sermon ever heard 
in this neighborhood, w r as delivered by Rev. William 
Moorhead, a son-in-law of Rev. Dr. McMillan (see 
u Old Redstone," page 330), in the year 1800, at Mrs. 
Coulter's house, that was about forty rods from the site 
of the present church building. This w r as the first ser- 
mon ever heard by her son John, 1 then sixteen years 
of age. He had never before even seen a minister, and 
was, as he expressed it, more afraid of a minister than 
of an Indian. After this, was an occasional sermon by 
Rev. A. Boyd, and Mr. Gwynn. The first communion 
was conducted by Mr. Johnston, assisted by Mr. Cook, 
in 1803. It was held in a grove. The people assem- 
bled from a great distance. Thirty persons came from 
Slate Lick, thirty miles distant. Snow fell on Sabbath 
night, and at the services on Monday the logs used as 
seats were thickly covered with snow ; but the people 
brushed it off, and sat down, and listened gladly and 
contentedly to the preached Word. 

At the meeting in June, 1804, Nicholas Pittinger 
(15), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Ohio, was re- 
ceived under the care of Presbytery. At the next 
meeting, October 24, 1804, he was ordained and in- 

1 Afterwards Rev. John Coulter, of the Presbytery of Alleghany. 
Born June 26th, 1784; licensed by Presbytery of Ohio ; ordained by 
that of Alleghany, April 21st, 1823; died December 6th. 1867. He was 
pastor of Concord Church forty- one (41) years. He w T as the father of 
Rev. J. R. Coulter, now pastor of Scrubgrass. 



48 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

stalled as pastor of the congregations of Westfield and 
Poland. The former of these charges was in what is 
now Lawrence County, Pa., and the latter, Trumbull 
County, Ohio. 

At the same meeting the first licensure took place in 
the Presbytery. Hitherto the new accessions had been 
from the licentiates of the mother Presbyteries; now 
they began the work of licensing candidates for them- 
selves. The first licentiate was Benjamin Boyd (17), a 
brother of John and Abraham, who were already mem- 
bers of Presbytery. 

On the 5th of December, 1804, the first pastoral 
relation was dissolved, and the first members dismissed 
from the Presbytery. This was the case of William 
Wylie. His pastoral relation was dissolved for a reason 
that has since been the prominent one in such changes 
for a half a century and more — failure to comply with 
stipulations, and consequent want of support. Mr. Wy- 
lie was dismissed to the Presbytery of Redstone. 

A singular instance of the punctilious observance of 
forms occurs in the matter of the church of Bull Creek. 
The calls for the labors of Abraham Boyd, on which 
he had been installed, were accidentally consumed by 
fire. Commissioners appear in Presbytery with papers 
signed by the trustees of the congregation, obliging 
themselves to pay the pastor the sum promised in the 
call, together with subscriptions for the amount. These 
were accepted by the pastor instead of the original 
call. 

In the matter of supplies, it was usual at this time 
to send two ministers where the Lord's Supper was to 
be celebrated. The services were usually protracted, 
and several days occupied on the occasion, so that much 
labor was imposed. 



HISTORY. 49 

There is another feature in the polity and practice of 
these early fathers that is interesting. It is the great 
frequency of occasions on which committees were ap- 
pointed to visit congregations and even individuals, to 
reconcile difficulties and remove complaints. Were 
difficulties reported by pastor or people, a committee 
of Presbytery was appointed to visit the place, call the 
people together, preach to them, pray with them, secure 
mutual concessions, and as a general thing restore har- 
mony and peace. The influence of the ministry over 
the people was then very great. The ministers were 
much like diocesan bishops. Their advice was potent, 
their word was almost like law. 

But the labor connected with these things was oner- 
ous. The question arises, too, with this large amount 
of travel in reconciling belligerent churches and indi- 
viduals, in supplying vacancies, and in assisting breth- 
ren on communion occasions, where was the time for 
study and attention to the minister's own field ? The 
complaint must often have been made, " They made me 
a keeper of vineyards, but mine own vineyard have I 
not kept." 

At this time much attention was paid to the Indian 
Mission at Sandusky. Mr. Badger was commissioned 
by the " Board of Trust " of the Synod of Pittsburgh 
to conduct the mission. He met with many difficul- 
ties, and was confronted by obstacles. Whiskey then, as 
now, was in the way of the red man's elevation and 
prosperity. He arrived among them in May, 1806. 
The plan proposed was to combine religious instruc- 
tion with the arts and humanizing influences of civil- 
ized life. Mr. Badger was accompanied by three labor- 
ers, with oxen and farming implements, who were to 
instruct the Indians in agriculture. 
4 



50 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Mr. Badger was to have a salary of four hundred and 
fifty dollars, with any extra expenses that should ap- 
pear reasonable. The laborers were two white men at 
twelve dollars per month, and one colored man and his 
wife, at one hundred dollars per year. He was also 
furnished a horse at forty-five dollars, and farming 
utensils, carpenter's tools, and household furniture, to 
the amount of one hundred and forty-five dollars and 
eighty-six cents. 1 

But the discouragements were very great. The 
missionary life was not all rose-colored. During Mr. 
Badger's temporary absence, Mr. Mc Curdy took his 
place. He writes as follows of the Indians : " Their 
houses, when they have any, are wretched huts, almost 
as dirty as they can be, and swarming with fleas and 
lice ; their furniture, a few barks, a tin or brass kettle, 
a gun, pipe, and tomahawk. Such is their ingratitude, 
that whilst you load them with favors they will reproach 
you to the face, and construe your benevolent intentions 
and actions into intentional fraud or real injury. They 
will lie in the most deliberate manner, and to answer 
any selfish purpose." 2 

At this juncture, a committee was appointed to 
prepare a history of the Presbytery. They reported 
progress the next year, and were directed to send their 
manuscript to Dr. Ashbel Green. The subsequent fate 
of this history is unknown. 

The Missionary Society of Connecticut at this time 
had many missionaries in the Western Reserve of 
Ohio, which was settled mainly by families from Connec- 
ticut. They occupied in common with the Presbytery 
of Erie a large extent of country. The Presbytery 

i Minutes, Synod of Pittsburgh, 1806. 
2 Dr. Elliott's Mc Curdy, p. 120. 



HISTORY. 51 

seemed disposed to cultivate friendly relations with 
them. A minute was passed advising the ministers to 
exchange professional services with them, and the 
people to commune with them in their churches. This 
grew out of the celebrated " Plan of Union " entered 
into between the General Assembly and the General 
Association of Connecticut in 1801 and 1802. 

In April, 1805, John McPherrin (16) was received 
from the Presbytery of Redstone, and soon after be- 
came pastor of the congregations of Concord, Muddy 
Creek, and Harmony, in Butler County, Pa. 

In October, 1806, Presbytery received Johnston Ea- 
ton (20), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Ohio, under 
its care, and on the following month ordained Benjamin 
Boyd, and installed him as pastor of the congregations 
of Trumbull, Beula, and Pymatuning. The first two 
of these congregations were in Ohio. 

In April, 1807, Cyrus Riggs (18), a licentiate of the 
Presbytery of Ohio, was received under the care of 
Presbytery, and at the same meeting Robert Patterson 
was released from the charge of Upper and Lower 
Greenfield in Erie County, Pa. At this meeting also, 
James Boyd (21), the fourth of the Boyd brothers, was 
licensed to preach the gospel. 

In July, 1807, Robert Lee (5) was dismissed, on the 
ground of ill health, from the pastoral charge of Rocky 
Spring and Amity. 

About this time the matter of a division of Presby- 
tery was first agitated. The minute recorded is in 
these words : " Presbytery agreed to petition the Synod 
at its next meeting to erect Rev. John McPherrin, 
Thomas E. Hughes, William Wick, James Satter- 
field, Robert Lee, John Boyd, Abraham Boyd, William 
Wood, Robert Johnston, Alexander Cook, and Nicholas 



52 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Pittinger, into a separate Presbytery, to be known by 
the name of the Presbytery of Harmony, to hold their 
first meeting at Concord." 

Against this action there was the following 

PROTEST. 

" We, the undersigned members of Erie Presbytery, 
do protest against the decision of said Presbytery in 
favor of the proposed division, inasmuch as we believe 
it will prove inimical to the interests of religion in 
many respects. " Samuel Tait, 

" Joseph Stockton, 
"Benjamin Boyd." 

On the 20th day of October, 1807, Eeid Bracken 
(19), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Ohio, was re- 
ceived under the care of Presbytery, and on the same 
day Cyrus Biggs was ordained and installed as pastor 
of the congregations of Fairfield and Mill Creek, the 
former in Mercer County, and the latter in Venango 
County, Pa. 

A note appended to the minutes, here shows that 
whilst the weightier matters were attended to, the 
smaller were not neglected : " Stated Clerk paid for 
writing for two preceding years, three dollars and 
twenty-five cents." 

In January, 1808, Mr. Hughes reported that he had 
collected four hundred and forty-four dollars and forty- 
six cents for Greersburgh Academy. It was resolved, 
that this money should be appropriated to the use of 
young men preparing for the gospel ministry, and be 
under the control of Presbytery ; that it be furnished 
only to such young men as shall be recommended by 
Presbytery, to be by them refunded at the rate of 



HISTORY. 53 

twenty dollars per annum, to commence as soon as 
they shall have been settled one year, " in any pro- 
fession or line of business." 

Supplies at this time were granted to " Sewickly, 
Gravel Run, Canfleld, Boardman, Upper Salem, West 
Unity, New Salem, Second Presbyterian Congregation, 
Pittsburgh, 1 Hilands, Indiana, Amity, Upper Green- 
field, Middlebrook, Waterford, Major Gray's, Oil Creek, 
Broken straw, Conewango, Upper and Lower Sugar 
Creek, and Erietown." 

On the 20th of April, 1808, Eeid Bracken was or- 
dained and installed as pastor of the congregations of 
Mount Nebo and Plain, in Butler County, Pa. Mr. 
Wood (10) preached on the occasion, and Mr. Pittin- 
ger (15) delivered the charges. This pastoral charge 
continued until Oct. 7, 1819, when he was released from 
Plain, and in 1844 from Mount Nebo. 

On the 30th of June, 1808, Johnston Eaton (20) 
was ordained, and installed as pastor of the congrega- 
tions of Fairview and Springfield, in Erie County, Pa. 
Mr. Johnston (14) preached on the occasion, and Jo- 
seph Stockton (4) delivered the charges. This ordina- 
tion took place in a barn belonging to William Stur- 
geon. The relation continued with the congregation 
of Fairview until the death of the pastor in 1847. 

On the 19th day of October, in the same year, James 
Boyd (21) was ordained and installed as pastor of the 
congregations of Newton and Warren, Ohio. Mr. 
Wick (2) preached on the occasion, and Mr. Hughes 
(1) delivered the charges. This relation continued 
until the death of Mr. Boyd in 1813. He was the last 
of the four brothers that was licensed, and the first 
called to his rest. 

1 Special request, by permission of Presbytery of Ohio* 



54 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

On the day following this ordination, Presbytery li- 
censed three young men to preach the gospel. They 
had passed through all their preparatory exercises un- 
der the direction of Presbytery, and were commissioned 
together to go into the great field. Their names were, 
Edward Johnston, Daniel Hey don, and Joshua Beer. 
Their names will not be found again in this record, 
as they were transferred the next spring to the roll of 
the new Presbytery of Hartford. Mr. Johnston was 
an older brother of Robert Johnston (14). After ac- 
cepting calls from the congregations of Brookfield and 
Hubbard, Ohio, he was called away from his earthly 
labors, to a higher sphere of service, on the very day 
that had been set apart for his ordination. His death 
took place September 20, 1809. 

Daniel Heydon was afterwards settled in the bounds 
of the Presbytery of Miami, and still later in those of 
the Presbytery of Cincinnati. Joshua Beer was settled 
first at Springfield, in the Presbytery of Hartford, and 
subsequently at Middle Sandy and Bethesda. 

The little church of Middlebrook was still keeping 
up its fund for the support of the gospel, and William 
Dickson, afterwards an elder at North East, was sent 
to Presbytery to ask for supplies. The Presbytery sent 
to them one of their licentiates, Edward Johnston, who 
preached to them on the Sabbath ; and on Sabbath 
night the stream between him and the man who kept 
the money arose to such a height that there was no pos- 
sibility of crossing it. So Mr. Johnston went home with- 
out his money. To the next meeting of Presbytery 
Mr. Dickson went with the money, but found that in 
the mean time Mr. Johnston had been called home to 
his rest and his reward. The money was placed in the 
hands of Presbytery, to be disposed of as was fitting 
and best. 



HISTORY. 55 

The project of a new Presbytery to be erected from 
a portion of the territory of the old, that had been agi- 
tated for a year previous, now assumed a definite form. 
The bounds were large, and the churches multiplying 
in the region extending into the State of Ohio. The 
request does not appear to have proceeded from the 
Presbytery of Erie as such, but from a Convention, 
called on the minutes of the Synod of Pittsburgh, 
" The Convention of New Connecticut." The eastern 
portion of the State of Ohio was known at this time as 
New Connecticut, and this Convention was probably 
made up of the ministers and elders residing in that 
region. The first minute of Synod is to this effect : — 

" A petition was handed in by the Committee of Bills 
and Overtures, from the Convention of New Connecti- 
cut, praying that such arrangements might be made in 
the division of Presbyteries, as that they might be em- 
braced within the bounds of a Presbytery." 

On this petition a committee of five, John McMillan, 
William Wick, Thomas E. Hughes, Clement Valan- 
dingham, and Johnston Eaton, was appointed, which 
reported the following minute : — 

"The committee to whom was referred the memo- 
rial from the Ecclesiastical Convention of New Con- 
necticut, reported, that they were of opinion that the 
welfare of the church and the interests of religion 
may be promoted by the erection of a new Presby- 
tery, bounded by a line beginning at the mouth of 
Big Beaver Creek, thence up said creek, and up 
Neshannock, to the mouth of. Little Branch ; thence 
northerly to the mouth of Walnut Creek, on Lake 
Erie ; thence along the line of the lake to the west 
line of New Connecticut ; thence to the southwest cor- 
ner of the Connecticut Reserve ; thence east along the 



56 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

south line of the Connecticut Reserve to the Tusca- 
rawa branch of the Muskingum River ; thence in a 
direct line to the Ohio River, at the mouth of Yellow 
Creek ; thence up the Ohio River to the place of be- 
ginning : including the Rev. Messrs. Thomas Edgar 
Hughes, William Wick, Joseph Badger, James Satter- 
field, Benjamin Boyd, Nicholas Pittinger, Clement Va- 
landingham, and Johnston Eaton, — to be known by 
the name of the Presbytery of Hartford." 1 

The report was adopted, and the new Presbytery 
ordered to meet at Hartford, Ohio, on the second Tues- 
day of November, 1808. 

In process of time the territory of the new Presby- 
tery was divided, until the town after which it had been 
originally named was no longer within its bounds. In 
the year 1833, the name was changed by act of Synod 
to Beaver. From the territory of this Presbytery and 
its expansion was formed, in 1814, the Presbytery of 
Grand River ; and from this, in 1818, Portage ; and 
from this, in 1823, Huron ; and from this, in 1830, 
Cleveland. From Beaver Presbytery was also formed, 
in 1838, the Presbytery of New Lisbon. 

The Presbytery of Erie had now been in existence 
eight years. The general result had been most en- 
couraging. Its roll had increased from five to nineteen 
members, with one licentiate and six candidates. Of 
these, seventeen were pastors. The churches had in- 
creased in number and in strength. At the last meet- 
ing of Synod, previous to the division, there were re- 
ported the following congregations able to support a 
pastor : " Warren and Newton, Amity and West 
Unity, Gravel Run and Conneaut, Oil Creek and Sugar 
Creek, Hartford, Smithfield, and Kinsman." 
1 Minutes, Synod of Pittsburgh, 1808. 



HISTORY. 57 

There were also reported, as unable to support a pas- 
tor : " Upper Salem, New Salem, Erietown, Water- 
ford, Brokenstraw, Conewango, Vienna, Bristol, Bea- 
vertown, Bear Creek, Upper and Lower Greenfield, 
Mesopotamia, Middlefield, Hilands, Middlebrook, Miles' 
Settlement, Franklin, Cleveland, East Unity, Sewickly, 
Boardman, Indiana, Center, Austinburgh, and Mor- 
gan." 

What number of these were regularly organized 
churches, and what were merely preaching points, it is 
impossible to determine. The early records rarely if 
ever give any account of the date and circumstances of 
the organization of particular churches. They seem to 
have been enrolled just as they sought supplies, and 
became known as places desiring the public ordinances 
of religion. 

Much missionary labor had been performed by the 
Presbytery through its members, and some enterprises 
had been undertaken by the Synod and General As- 
sembly within its bounds. 

The first years in the history of the Presbytery were 
marked and rendered eternally memorable by the won- 
derful revivals of religion that were enjoyed. The 
great awakening of 1801 and 1802 commenced in 
the Presbytery of Ohio, but soon extended into wmat 
became the territory of the Presbytery of Erie. The 
first notice of it is found in the history of the charge of 
Mr. Hughes (1) at Mount Pleasant, Beaver County, Pa. 
Mr. Munson, who was a member of that charge, tells 
us * many of the particulars of it. It was preceded by 
a spirit of prayerful n ess and anxiety for God's blessing. 
The people met together for prayer. The female mem- 
bers of the congregation met for prayer. Individuals 

1 Letter to Dr. Plumer, Pres. Mag % vii. 463. 



58 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

wrestled with agony and weeping. They laid hold on 
the strength of Jehovah. They watched and waited for 
the blessing. They brought the tithes into the store 
house, and God poured them out a blessing. People 
came together as with one heart and one mind, to 
seek the Lord. No business was so pressing, no cares 
so urgent, as to interfere with these solemn assemblies. 
Oftentimes they could not be persuaded to retire after 
the benediction had been pronounced, but lingered 
around the door of the church, or the tent, as though 
by some unusual fascination. In some cases, under 
such circumstances, the services were renewed, and 
continued all night. Great numbers were brought to 
the knowledge of Christ; the hearts of God's people 
were refreshed, and the churches greatly enlarged. 

An extract from the " Western Missionary Maga- 
zine," describing the work as witnessed in the Congrega- 
tion of Cross Roads, will convey an idea of the manifes- 
tation of God's Spirit during these times. It was during 
the exercises of a communion season. Nine ministers 
were present. Great feeling had been manifested dur- 
ing the services. The communicants had retired from 
the tables : " A great many were affected, and some had 
to be assisted to move out. Ministers still preached 
successively in the hours throughout the day. Prayers 
and exhortations were continued all night in the meet- 
ing-house, except at short intervals, when a speaker's 
voice could not be heard for the cries and groans of the 
distressed. On Monday three ministers preached at dif- 
ferent places, one in the house, and two out in the en- 
campments. This was a very solemn day, particularly 
in the house. After public worship, when the people 
were preparing to remove, the scene was very affect- 
ing ; the house was thronged full, and when some of 



HISTORY. 59 

those without were about to go away, they found that 
part of their families were in the house, and some of 
them lying in distress unable to remove. This pre- 
vented a general removal ; and although a number 
went away, the greater part remained. About the time 
of the departure of those who went away, the work be- 
came more powerful than it had been at any time be- 
fore, and numbers who had prepared to go were con- 
strained to stay. It was a memorable time of the 
display of Divine power and grace through the whole 
night. Many of the young people were remarkably 
exercised, and frequently addressed others about the 
condition they were in, the glories of the Saviour, 
the excellency and suitableness of the plan of salva- 
tion ; and warned and invited, and pressed sinners to 
come to Christ ; all this in a manner quite astonishing 
for their years. Numbers of old, experienced Chris- 
tians, also, were particularly exercised, were much re- 
freshed and comforted, and affectingly recommended 
the Lord Jesus and his religion to those around them. 
About sunrise, after a time of solemn, sweet exercise, 
the congregation was dismissed, and soon after dis- 
persed." * 

Another account describes the work in a different 
congregation : u The administration of the Word and 
ordinances was accompanied with an extraordinary 
effusion of divine influences on the hearts of the hear- 
ers. Some hundreds were, during the season, convinced 
of their sin and misery ; and many of them sunk down 
and cried bitterly and incessantly for several hours. 
Some fell suddenly ; some lost their strength gradually ; 
some lay quiet and silent ; some were violently agi- 
tated ; and many sat silently weeping, who were not 
exercised with any bodily affections." 2 

1 Western Miss. Mag. i. 334-35. 2 md, 338. 



60 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

The work extended throughout all the region round. 
All classes, all ages, all conditions in life were affected. 
The hoary-headed sinner, who had looked unappalled 
on scenes of human and elemental' strife, and had been 
unmoved by any appeals to reason or to conscience 
before, was bowed and subdued. Eyes that seldom 
wept, poured out their tears like rain, and hearts that 
were like the adamant were melted beneath the Spirit's 
power. Lips that had curled with scorn at the name 
of Jesus, uttered cries for mercy or lisped the praises 
of redeeming love. Many who came from mere cu- 
riosity, or to show, as they expressed it, that strong men 
could not be influenced by such things, were crushed in 
the dust and made to cry for mercy. Little children 
were the subjects of this work. In one instance, some 
children spent the whole night in prayer, a young man, 
without their knowledge, being stationed near to guard 
them against danger. 

From the accounts as given above, it is evident that 
the work of divine grace w r as accompanied by remark- 
able and unusual circumstances. The body was affected 
as well as the mind. These affections were different in 
different individuals. Sometimes the body was affected 
with feebleness and languor, so that the person seemed 
to faint away. Sometimes there were apparent convul- 
sions, or as the people then termed it, "jerks," or spas- 
modical contortions of the muscles. In some, the body 
became quite powerless and without motion for a length 
of time ; the breathing became very weak, animation 
was almost suspended, and the pulse almost still. But 
no pain was experienced, nor did any injurious conse- 
quences follow to the most delicate constitutions. Yet 
all this time there was an entire consciousness of all 
that was passing. The mind was not in a comatose 



HISTORY. 61 

state, although the body seemed often slumbering. " It 
is no unusual thing,'' says Dr. McMillan, u to see per- 
sons so entirely deprived of bodily strength that they 
will fall from their seats, or off their feet, and be as un- 
able to help themselves as a new-born child." x " There 
was," says Dr. Anderson, " in some cases gradually, 
and in others instantly, a total loss of bodily strength, 
so that they fell to the ground, like Saul of Tarsus — 
and with oppression of the heart and lungs, with sus- 
pension of breath, with sobs and loud cries." 2 

This wondrous affection of the bodily powers was not 
confined to the place of religious worship : it came upon 
men in the wood, in the fields, in the workshop, at home, 
and in bed. It was altogether involuntary, and in spite 
of every effort of the will to prevent it. The strong 
and the weak, both in body and mind, were equally its 
subjects. Sometimes it came upon those who were 
professing Christians and who had given undoubted 
evidences of piety. On the other hand, many who were 
its subjects, received no spiritual benefit, but went on 
careless as ever. 

These affections seem generally, though not always 
to have followed some mental exercises, or anxiety and 
concern about the soul's salvation. In some instances, 
however, they followed where there was a determination 
to avoid any outward exhibition of feeling and interest in 
the great concern. Yet as the hearers lay apparently 
unconscious of all that was passing around them, their 
minds were active. They could hear and reason, and 
feel even more intensely than under ordinary circum- 
stances. 

Rev. Robert Johnston (14), whilst pastor of the con- 
gregation of Scrubgrass, in Venango County, Pa., relates 

1 Western Miss. Mag. ii. 354. 2 jfai 454. 



62 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

many of the circumstances connected with this work 
in his own congregation. On a certain occasion, after 
the benediction had been pronounced at the close of 
the Sabbath evening service, a remarkable state of feel- 
ing presented itself. The circumstances are related in 
his manuscript autobiography : " While a solemn awe 
was visible in every face, five or six appeared to be 
awakened to a sense of their undone condition, among 
whom were two of the most unlikely persons in the 
house. One of them was the largest man in the assem- 
bly, and full of self-importance ; the other a file-leader 
in the devil's camp, who attempted to escape by flight, 
got entangled in the bushes, and was forced to come 
back for a light to find his path, and who, the moment 
he set his foot inside the door, fell prostrate on the 
floor, under a sense of self-condemnation." As a result 
of this revival one half of the adult persons in the con- 
gregation were brought into the church. 

In a letter to Rev. Dr. Elliott of the Western Theo- 
logical Seminary, Mr. Johnston relates more minutely 
the circumstances connected with this " Bodily Exer- 
cise," as it was then called : * " The effects of this work 
on the body were truly wonderful, and so various that 
no physical cause could be assigned for their produc- 
tion. I have seen men and women sitting in solemn 
attitude, pondering the solemn truths that were pre- 
sented, and in a moment fall from their seats, or off 
their feet, if they happened to be standing, as helpless 
as though they had been shot, and lie from ten or fif- 
teen or twenty minutes, and sometimes as long as half 
an hour, as motionless as a person in a sound sleep. 
At other times, the whole frame would be thrown into 
a state of agitation so violent as seemingly to endan- 

l Life of Mc Curdy, p. 82. 



HISTORY. 63 

ger the safety of the subject ; and yet in a moment this 
agitation would cease, and the persons arise in the pos- 
session of all their bodily powers, and take their seats 
composed and solemn, without the least sensation of 
pain or uneasiness. . . . Another fact that I ascer- 
tained beyond doubt, was, that those who lay for a 
considerable length of time, apparently insensible, and 
sometimes without one discernible symptom of life, ex- 
cept the natural warmth and color of the skin, could 
hear, understand, and reflect on what they heard as well 
as, or better than, when in possession of all their nat- 
ural powers. Nor was there that kind of uniformity in 
the occurrence of their different effects on the body as 
to allow them to be ascribed to corresponding exercises 
of the mind. Some have been agitated in body, under 
pleasing exercises of mind, and others have lain mo- 
tionless under the anguish of a wounded spirit. Some 
were under deep and pungent conviction for weeks 
before they felt any effect on the body ; whilst some 
passed through the whole course of awakening and con- 
viction, and became hopefully pious, who never felt any 
symptoms of bodily agitation. Of the former class, 
was a very intelligent young man, now a minister of 
the gospel, who told me that he had more pungent dis- 
tress of mind before than after he became affected in 
body. From these, and many more similar facts that 
occurred under my own observation, I became satisfied 
that no natural cause could be assigned, sufficient to 
account for the extraordinary effects on the bodies of 
a large majority of the subjects of the revival." 

" The physical effects of the excitement on the body, 
was by no means a desirable appendage, in the view 
of the sensible part of the community, but they were 
evidently irresistible, and persons were as liable to be 



64 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

affected in the very act of resisting, as in any other 
circumstances ; and many who came to mock and op- 
pose remained to pray, and returned, inquiring what 
they must do to be saved." 

This state of feeling and action was not encouraged 
by the ministers. It was something they could not un- 
derstand, and they took circumstances as they found 
them. Mr. Johnston states that at the beginning of the 
revival in his congregation, he cautioned his people 
against any outcries, or bursts of feeling. This seemed 
to have had a good effect, for although the work was 
very powerful, yet this bodily exercise was no interrup- 
tion to the exercises. " I have preached," says he, " to 
a crowded assembly, when more than one half of the 
people were lying helpless before me during the greater 
portion of divine service, without the least noise or dis- 
turbance of any kind, to divert or interrupt the atten- 
tion of any individual from the word spoken." 

The character of the preaching at these times was 
plain and practical. The terrors of the law were often 
set forth with peculiar pungency. Says Mr. Munson, 
in speaking of Mr. Hughes' preaching at Mount Pleas- 
ant during one of these revivals : " He took the ground 
that Boston and Rutherford and Edwards had done, to 
cut them off stroke by stroke from the Old Covenant. 
He thought the case of these anxious sinners required 
the exhibition of the requirements and threatenings of 
the law. This method was calculated to increase the 
distress which was already insupportable." Afterwards 
his thoughts took a different channel. " These dis- 
tressed souls were directed to the Cross ; Christ was 
held forth in his ability, willingness, and sufficiency ; as 
suited in all his offices to relieve the distressed souls 
before Him of their heavy burdens. The new course 



HISTORY. 65 

had the desired effect; a favorable change was soon 
apparent, so that that was the beginning of days to a 
goodly number." 

The character of the preaching was largely doctrinal. 
Man's total depravity and corruption was largely dwelt 
upon. The awful penalty of the law was set forth, at 
times, with dreadful severity and terror ; the utter help- 
lessness of the sinner without the assistance of divine 
grace was insisted upon ; and then the blessings of the 
Atonement of Christ were spread before the convicted 
sinner as his only hope and peace. 

During the first years of the history of the Presby- 
tery this grand and wonderful work of God spread 
over its bounds, and extended with greater or less 
power to almost every pastoral charge. It was a bap- 
tism of the early days of the Presbytery that was a 
prophecy of great and glorious things for days to come. 
And whilst there were peculiarities connected with it 
that have not been seen in modern times, yet there can 
be no doubt that it was a genuine work of God. Its 
results show this. Its subjects dwelt in the church as 
sincere Christians. They died in peace and now stand 
before the Throne. 



CHAPTER III. 

FROM THE FIRST TO THE SECOND DIVISION OF PRES- 
BYTERY. 

1808-1820. 

The first meeting of the Presbytery, after the erec- 
tion of the Presbytery of Hartford, was at Concord, in 
Butler County, Pa., on the 18th day of April, 1809. 
The number of its members was much reduced, and its 
territory greatly curtailed. But there were men of en- 
ergy and zeal and courage yet left, and there was terri- 
tory left more than sufficient to occupy all their time 
and attention. The roll at this time contained the 
names of Samuel Tait, settled at Cool Spring and Mer- 
cer ; Joseph Stockton, settled at Meadville and Little 
Sugar Creek, or Cochranton ; Robert Lee, who was 
without a pastoral charge ; John Boyd, settled at Union 
and Slate Lick, Armstrong County, Pa. ; Abraham Boyd, 
settled at Bull Creek and Middlesex ; William Wood, 
settled at Plaingrove, Mercer County, Pa. ; Alexander 
Cook, settled at Slippery Rock and New Castle ; Robert 
Patterson, who was without charge, and not residing 
within the bounds of Presbytery ; Robert Johnston, 
settled at Scrubgrass, in Venango County, Pa. ; Cyrus 
Riggs, settled at Fairfield and Mill Creek, in Mercer 
and Venango Counties ; Reid Bracken, settled at Mount 
Nebo and Plain, in Butler County, Pa., and John 



HISTORY. 67 

McPherrin, settled in Concord and Harmony, also in 
Butler County, Pa. 

At the following meeting of Synod they reported the 
following vacant congregations, as " able to support a 
pastor : West Unity and Amity, Gravel Run and Wa- 
terford. Vacant congregations, not able to support a 
pastor : Erie, Upper and Lower Greenfield, Oil Creek, 
Brokenstraw, Conewango, Middlebrook, Franklin, and 
Unity." 

The territory with which they had parted was about 
as great as that which they retained. But its bounda- 
ries were now more definitely determined. Heretofore 
the western boundary had been rather mythical than 
real, extending as far as civilization had advanced, and 
consequently rather migratory than permanent. It was 
deprived also of its Indian missionary ground, although, 
as will be seen, its interest in Indian missions did not 
abate in the least. 

At this time the accommodations for religious wor- 
ship began to improve. The " tent," as the little cov- 
ered platform on which the ministers stood was called, 
was used only on sacramental occasions, or in times of 
great religious interest. Comfortable log-houses with 
glazed windows had been erected in almost all the con- 
gregations. In some of the congregations, sacramental 
services were held in barns, and with great comfort and 
satisfaction. There was at this time an occasional 
frame barn throughout the settlements. Before harvest 
these could be comfortably occupied. The barn was 
carefully swept out. Seats of rough wood were arranged 
in the threshing-floor and in the haymows, and some- 
times in the stables, with a long tier out in front of the 
open doors. A platform in the further end of the 
threshing-floor served for a pulpit. 



i 



68 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

But it is doubtful whether this worship in barns and 
mills was any improvement on that of the forest In 
summer, with pleasant weather, and a delightful site, 
under the great trees, and the sweet breath of God all 
around in its purity, the worship was most delightful 
and inspiriting. 

" The groves were God's first temples. Ere man learned 
To hew the shaft and lay the architrave, 
And spread the roof above them, — ere he framed 
The lofty vault, to gather and roll back 
The sound of anthems, — in the darkling wood, 
Amidst the cool and silence, he knelt down 
And offered to the Mightiest, solemn thanks 
And supplication." 

There was a freedom too about those forest sanctua- 
ries that was most inviting to the earlier settlers. It 
suited their ideas of propriety to come together on 
common ground, where every one was alike at home, 
and where the accommodations were unlimited, save by 
the extent of the forest. Many scenes of melting inter- 
est were witnessed at such times and under such cir- 
cumstances. 

A single picture of this forest worship will convey 
some idea of the early worship of the fathers. It is in 
the month of June. It has been announced far and 
near that a stranger from the old settlements is to preach 
on the following Sabbath in the woods near the Big 
Spring. A great congregation has assembled ; and it 
is a motley assemblage. Every variety of costume and 
habit and expression of countenance is there. One is 
habited in a suit brought from his early home, but 
since unused, save on special occasions like the pres- 
ent. The texture is still good, but the changing fashions 
have left it far in the background. Another, perhaps, 
has a single garment of this kind, whilst the remainder 



HISTORY. 69 

of his costume is manufactured in the wilderness. 
Still another has a costume that is nondescript in its 
character. His hunting-shirt is of deerskin, whilst his 
lower extremities are cased in garments of the same 
material, shrunk by the weather, until they completely 
adapt themselves to the form they were designed to 
protect. 

The wives and daughters of the settlers are in as 
good trim in their outward adornment as circumstances 
would permit; where a bonnet was wanting a cotton 
handkerchief supplies the deficiency; where shoes 
were wanting, they manifest their sense of propriety 
by coming without these appendages of modern refine- 
ment. 

It is an imposing place, too. The tall trees have 
stood there for centuries, witnesses of the power and 
wisdom of the God of creation ; and now in the midst 
of their deep solitude, the love of the God of Redemp- 
tion is to be set forth. 

The preacher appears and takes his stand under the 
shadow of a venerable elm. He is a mere youth, and 
bears a cast of care. He is thin and sallow, almost 
cadaverous, yet with an eye full of the fire of thought. 
As he proceeds with his subject, his form becomes 
erect, and his ideas flow forth in a torrent of burning 
eloquence. He sways that untutored multitude as the 
passing breeze sways the unreaped grain. Many a 
brown cheek is moist with tears ; many a heart hard as 
the adamant, is melted beneath the burning power of 
truth. 

When he commenced, the congregation were seated 
upon fallen logs, leaning against the trees, or carelessly 
lounging upon the ground. But as he proceeds and 
warms with the subject, and the truth begins to fail 



70 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

upon their consciences, they gradually draw nearer 
until all are standing around the speaker. Every eye 
is riveted upon him ; they hang upon his lips. Upon 
those upturned countenances are plainly visible the 
deep emotions that are struggling within. " Is not my 
word like as a fire ? saith the Lord ; and like a hammer 
that breaketh the rock in pieces ? " 

In some of the churches at that day, in the summer 
time, it was not unusual for some thoughtful man to 
carry a brand of fire from his home, and apply it to a 
dry stump in the neighborhood of the church. To this 
fire the men would resort for the purpose of a quiet 
smoke. Occasionally, even during the sermon, a staid 
deacon would quietly withdraw, light his pipe, smoke 
to his satisfaction, and return, perhaps even before the 
minister had taken up a new head of discourse. 

On the 14th of June, 1809, Mr. Cook (12) was re- 
leased from the charge of Slippery Rock and New 
Castle, and on the 6th of March following was dismissed 
to the Presbytery of Hartford, and soon after went 
on his missionary tour to South Carolina and Georgia. 

April 17, 1810, John Boyd was released from the 
pastoral charge of Slate Lick, Armstrong County, Pa., 
when he began to labor as a stated supply at Amity 
and West Unity. On the 27th of June, 1810, Mr. 
Stockton was released from the charge of Meadville 
and Little Sugar Creek, and dismissed to the Presby- 
tery of Redstone. 

On the 4th of October, 1810, Mr. John Boyd (8), hav- 
ing relinquished his position as stated supply at Amity 
and West Unity, on account of ill health, was dismissed 
to the Presbytery of New Lancaster, now Zanesville. 

On the 26th of June, 1810, John Matthews (22), a 
licentiate of the Presbytery of Ohio, was received 



HISTORY. 71 

under the care of Presbytery, and on the 17th of Octo- 
ber following, he was ordained and installed as pastor 
of the churches of Waterford and Gravel Run. 

Discouraging circumstances had arisen in Scrubgrass, 
as they frequently do after great revivals, and Mr. 
Johnston was constrained to sunder his connection with 
a people he loved. His field there had been, as it has 
been since, a remarkable one. Old John Lowrie, his 
principal elder, had been a host in himself, in the 
church. His family have been remarkable since in the 
influence they have exerted on Presbyterianism. Wal- 
ter Lowrie, his son, was at one time a candidate for the 
ministry under the care of the Presbytery of Erie, but 
has since, as the Secretary of the Presbyterian Board 
of Foreign Missions, been, perhaps, of more service to 
the church than though he had been in the ministry. 
Three sons of Walter Lowrie, John C, Walter M., and 
Reuben P., have been foreign missionaries. Another 
son of John Lowrie, Matthew B., was long a valuable 
elder in the church. A son of Matthew B., Hon. Wal- 
ter H. Lowrie, is also an elder, and another son, the late 
Rev. John M. Lowrie, D. D., was a prominent man in the 
church. Judge Lowrie has also a son in the ministrv. 
A daughter and two grandchildren of John Lowrie are 
missionaries to the Indians in the Northwest, and a 
grandson, Rev. W. L. Lyons, is a member of the Pres- 
bytery of Iowa. 

On the 2d day of January, 1811, Mr. Johnston (14) 
was released from the pastoral charge of the church of 
Scrubgrass, and calls placed in his hands from the con- 
gregations of Meadville, Sugar Creek (Cochranton), 
and Conneaut Lake (Evansburgh), with an injunction to 
these congregations. " To augment their stipulated sal- 



72 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

ary for the whole of Mr. Johnston's time, to at least 
four hundred dollars for the whole of his time." 

At this meeting " The Presbytery, taking into view 
the gloomy and shattered state of the churches under 
their care, appointed the first Thursday of February 
next, to be observed as a day of fasting, humiliation, 
and prayer to Almighty God, that He would remove the 
clouds of separation between Him and us." 

April 9, 1812, Mr. Riggs (18) was dismissed from the 
pastoral charge of the congregation of Fairfield, and 
commenced his labors, soon after, in the congregations 
of Scrubgrass and West Unity. In this latter charge, 
he found many of the prejudices of the times in his 
way. But he was a quiet, unpretending man, and yet 
had his own ideas of propriety ; and in addition to this, 
had the faculty of carrying out his own plans, in spite of 
the prejudices of the times and the unreasonableness 
of many of his people. His strategy was simple and 
yet effective. It was to approach new subjects gradu- 
ally, and undermine foolish prejudices by degrees, until 
his object was accomplished. His people were not 
probably more unenlightened than others at that day, 
and their operations may be taken as a specimen of the 
spirit of the times. 

One of their peculiar notions was that fire was not 
necessary in the church edifice, even in the coldest 
weather. When he went to Scrubgrass, the people 
were in the habit of coming to church from distances of 
from one to seven miles. They would then hitch their 
horses, and sit in the cold church during the two hours 
of divine service, and return home, without seeing fire. 
When they erected a new house of worship, Mr. Riggs 
proposed putting in it two ten-plate stoves, in order 
that the people might worship with comfort. This prop- 



HISTORY. 73 

position met with a most strenuous opposition. They 
argued that their fathers had never had fire in the 
church, and they were no better than their fathers. 
Moreover they said, the house would be so warm they 
could not occupy it. The spirit of improvement pre- 
vailed, however, and the stoves were placed in the new 
church ; yet it was observed that an old father, who 
could not be convinced against his will, gave up a pew 
he had occupied near the pulpit, and took one near the 
door, with a window at the back of it, which he regu- 
larly opened a little lest he should be suffocated. 

Churches were not generally heated in any way, in 
these times, even during the long winters that charac- 
terized the country. Occasionally an old foot-stove that 
had done service in New England was found in some 
household, and was filled with coals and embers and 
carried to church. Yet even this was considered effemi- 
nate, and none but the aged would condescend to use 
them. Nor were the services abridged on account of the 
cold. There was the regular routine — two services, 
and the intervening recess, during which the people eat 
their biscuits, and shook hands with the minister. Nor 
were the people warmly clad in those days. Overcoats 
were rare, and overshoes almost wholly unknown. Dur- 
ing the service there was often an audible sound of shuf- 
fling feet, that was produced in the attempt to quicken 
the circulation and so restore warmth to the system. 
But this was never excepted to on the part of the 
minister. It was justified by circumstances. 

About this time an improvement was introduced in 
the Church of Fairview, a portion of Mr. Eaton's charge, 
The little log church, which overlooked Lake Erie, was 
exposed to the bleak winds that sometimes raged with 
great fury ; and the idea was suggested that as the 



74 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

pe'ople had fire^ in their cabins at home, a little would 
improve the temperature of the meeting-house. But 
there was neither fire-place nor chimney. So a large 
iron kettle, that had been used in boiling sugar, was set 
in the middle of the floor, half filled with charcoal, and 
the mass ignited. This moderated the cold somewhat ; 
yet the ladies would sometimes approach the kettle so 
near as to inhale the carbonic acid gas that arose from 
the coal, faint away, and be carried out into ? the open 
air to revive. Subsequently a large ten-plate stove, 
that had been brought from Eastern Pennsylvania 
by some enterprizing settler, was obtained, and added 
greatly to the comfort and satisfaction of the worship- 
pers. 

In the spring of 1812, Rev. John McPherrin (16) was 
invited to preach in Erie County, and remained some 
six months, preaching in North East and Middlebrook. 
The journal of William Dickson, already quoted, men- 
tions an incident of interest. 

"In the spring of 1812, Rev. John McPherrin ac- 
cepted a call from North East and Middlebrook con- 
gregations, and came and preached six months. As 
war was declared that year, and we were on the frontier, 
he declined staying with us, and returned to his former 
charge in Butler County. While he was with us, we 
had an election for elders, and he was not pleased with 
the choice, as politics had something to do with it. 
Two men were elected who were never known to pray 
in their families, and the time was appointed for their 
ordination ; but they had first to pass an examination 
*that was like a refiner's fire, and he declared from 
the pulpit that they were not qualified for members of 
any church, and he would never ordain such men ; if 
we must have elders, we must elect praying men. One 



HISTORY. 75 

of these men repented, and became an elder ; the other 
like Judas, went to his own place/' 

At the meeting of Presbytery on the 9th of April 
1812, the attention of Presbytery w T as called to mission- 
ary ground, near Pittsburgh, now the site of Alleghany 
City. The minute is in these words : " An indigent and 
needy neighborhood, situated on the Alleghany, oppo- 
site to Pittsburgh, having applied to Rev. Messrs. 
Herron and Hunt of the Presbytery of Redstone, for 
supplies of preaching from them and the Rev. Robert 
Patterson, of Erie, as frequently as convenient ; it was 
deemed proper by them to lay the case for consideration 
before the Presbytery of Erie. On motion, Resolved, 
That they, with discretion, attend to this application." 

At the same meeting a resolution was offered, but 
afterwards negatived, looking to the continuance of the 
practice of publishing the bans of matrimony in the con- 
gregation on the Sabbath. This practice had been of 
long standing. The custom had been to set forth the 
intentions of matrimony in something like the following 
words : " There is a purpose of marriage between John 
Smith and Hannah Brown of this congregation ; whereof 
this is the first publication." The next Sabbath it would 
be the second publication, and the following the third ; 
when it would be proper to celebrate the marriage. 
The publication was read by the clerk, as he was called, 
or the leader of the singing, as he stood in front of the 
pulpit, and was done with as much gravity and unction 
and sing-song tone as he would line out the psalm pre- 
paratory to singing. Sometimes there would be a dis- 
position to smile on the part of the younger portion of 
the congregation, at the first publication of the bans, 
but usually it was received with gravity and decorum 
such as were fitting to the worship of the Sabbath, 



76 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

At the date referred to, the Presbytery did not feel 
like insisting on the observance of the old rule. Against 
this laxity, Mr. McPherrin enters his solemn protest, 
giving four reasons as grounds of his protest. The 
protest is spread upon the minutes. 1 

At the meeting of the Synod, the year previous, the 
same question had come up, when it was decided, first, 
" That the Synod do not approve of their members 
celebrating marriage, without publishing the purpose 
of marriage, or license." And secondly, that it is not 
a breach of the Sabbath to publish a purpose of mar- 
riage on that sacred day. 2 

At the meeting of Synod in 1811, Robert McGar- 
raugh (23), with his congregations, New Rehoboth and 
Licking, was detached from the Presbytery of Redstone, 
and annexed to that of Erie. The territory so annexed 
was determined by the boundary line between the two 
Presbyteries, thus defined by Synod : " Ordered, that the 
Redbank Creek from the mouth up the southern branch 
to the boundary line of the Synod, shall hereafter be 
the line of division between the Presbyteries of Erie 
and Redstone." 3 

Mr. McGarraugh was a laborious minister, and suf- 
fered a full share of the privations and difficulties in- 
cident to the new settlements. He was a plain, humble 
man, intent only on the great work of preaching the 
gospel and leading souls to Christ. His field once em- 
braced the whole of what is now Clarion Presbytery. 
A few sermons had perhaps been preached in that re- 
gion before his arrival, yet he was the first minister that 
came permanently into the field. He did not content 
himself with preaching in his own particular charge, 
but extended his labors in all directions, wherever there 

l Vol. ii. 10. 2 Min. of Synod, 1811. 3 iUd. 



HISTORY. 77 

were people to hear, or needy souls to be sought out. 
During one year of his labors, he visited every family, 
without regard to denomination, in the whole of what is 
now the Presbytery of Clarion. Without being a fluent 
preacher, he was an earnest worker, and probably no 
person in all his region of country doubted either his 
sincerity or his piety. He was the only Presbyterian 
minister in all this region up to the year 1824, when 
John Core came into the bounds. 

Mr. McGarraugh was pastor of the churches of New 
Rehoboth and Licking from 1807 to 1822, when he 
resigned his charge, but continued to labor in the con- 
gregations of Concord and Calensburgh, up to the 
time of his death in 1839. A detailed record of his 
labors, and the struggles of himself and family during 
the early years of his ministry, would seem more like 
romance than reality. Yet his experience, probably, did 
not differ much from that of our early ministers gener- 
ally during the first quarter of a century of the history 
of the Presbytery. 

In June, 1812, Mr. Wood (10) became pastor for the 
whole of his time over the congregation of Plaingrove. 
At the meeting of Synod in October of this year, the 
congregation of Hilands was detached from the Presby- 
tery of Erie, and annexed to that of Redstone. At the 
same time a remarkable action was had by the Synod, 
defining the boundaries of this congregation : " That 
the first point be at the Alleghany River, opposite the 
mouth of Puckety Creek ; thence westerly until it inter- 
sects the Franklin road twelve miles from Pittsburgh ; 
thence southwest, until it strikes the Ohio River, eight 
miles from Pittsburgh ; and thence up the river to the 
town of Pittsburgh." 2 

i Minutes of Synod, 1812. 



78 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

At the same meeting of Synod, Johnston Eaton (20), 
with his pastoral charge, Fairview and Springfield, on 
the shore of Lake Erie, was detached from the Pres- 
bytery of Hartford, and annexed to the Presbytery of 
Erie. This was an extensive charge. It extended 
from the Ohio State line to that of New York. Some- 
times he supplied at Erie, and sometimes at Lower 
Greenfield or North East. He had begun the work in 
1805. In 1807 he moved with all his worldly effects 
from Fayette County, Pa., on horseback. There was 
no road for wagons, and all the fixtures for housekeep- 
ing and domestic comfort must be " packed," as it was 
then termed, or lashed on the backs of horses, and 
these horses led single file, one being tied behind 
another. A portion of the furniture was manufactured 
by the minister himself; a small table was constructed 
out of a walnut log, by laboriously hewing down split 
puncheons, until they were of the proper thickness. 
For the children's comfort the minister made shoes 
with his own hand, and his wife braided hats from the 
bark of the leatherwood that grew plentifully in the 
forest. They manufactured coffee from rye ; and good 
Mr. Blair furnished all the sugar that was wanted, made 
from the trees that grew on his broad acres. Some- 
times the bread was made from " sick wheat," l and 
caused a terrible agitation of the stomach, but venison 
and bear-meat and fish were plenty, and the little fam- 
ily lived in comparative comfort. During the absence 
of the minister on his preaching tours, the log-cabin 
parsonage was lonely and often visited by Indians, but 
a neighbor was usually at hand for company and pro- 
tection. Twice during these years, Mr. Eaton was a 
Commissioner to the General Assembly at Philadelphia, 

1 A peculiar disease that affected the wheat in that day. 



HISTORY. 79 

and on both occasions performed the journey to and 
from on horseback. The road led by the way of Pitts- 
burgh, and required about two weeks to complete the 
journey each way. 

April 7, 1813, Mr. McPherrin was installed as pastor 
of the congregation of Butler. On the same day, Mr. 
Lee (5) was dismissed to the Presbytery of Redstone. 
In June, 1813, an arrangement was made by which Mr. 
Tait (3) became pastor once more at Salem, the people 
of Cool Spring agreeing to worship at Mercer. Salem 
had been a portion of Mr. Tait's original charge in 1801. 
Joseph Stockton (4) had preached the first sermon to 
this congregation in 1799 ; it was on the banks of 
the Shenango, about half a mile from where Green- 
ville now stands. He was a candidate at the time Mr. 
Tait was elected pastor. In this congregation a sin- 
gular question arose in regard to the ruling eldership. 
Amongst the elders elected was William Beatty, who 
was a bachelor. The mothers in Israel doubted the 
propriety of ordaining such a man. The question was 
warmly debated at several " frolics " in the neighbor- 
hood, and the conclusion arrived at was, that an elder 
" should be the husband of one wife, and*rule his house- 
hold well." The difficulty was mentioned to Mr. Tait, 
who at first humored the joke, as he considered it, but 
finding the matter growing serious, it required quite an 
effort on his part to remove their doubts ; and they only 
yielded their opinion in deference to that of their 
minister. Mr. Beatty was ordained and installed into 
office, and thenceforward scrupulously devoted one tenth 
of his income to religious purposes. 

In the year 1813, during the war with Great Britain, 
Johnston Eaton was appointed chaplain by the govern- 
ment. His people were generally in the army, as was 



80 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

the case throughout the Presbytery, and his feelings 
and sense of duty induced him to desire to go with 
them. Joseph Badger and Benjamin Boyd, former 
members of the Presbytery, were also in this service 
under the government. 

During a portion of this war, the congregations along 
the Lake Shore were in great fear and often terror. 
After Hull's surrender, it was reported that a British 
fleet was coming down the Lake, and a body of British 
and Indians by land at the same time. On one occasion 
the land forces were reported as coming, when heroic 
John Sturgeon commenced casting bullets, declaring he 
would " Make them stand off, or he would send the 
lead at them." The British and Indians did not come. 
On another occasion the fleet was reported landing, 
when an old gentleman, wdth commendable zeal, but 
doubtful judgment, set off on foot at full speed for the 
shore, taking off his old hat and filling it with stones as 
he ran, with the avowed intention of sinking the fleet. 
The fleet proved to be a single boat with a few fisher- 
men in it, from the neighborhood. 

During the war there was a circumstance that should 
be recorded to illustrate the general religious influence 
that prevailed in at least some portions of the Presby- 
tery. In Mercer County a company was raised to go 
to Erie, for the defense of the border. This company 
was under the command of Captain Joseph Junkin. 1 
During the entire campaign, family worship was kept 
up daily, in every tent but two, by their respective in- 
mates, and in these two, it was kept up by the officers 
volunteering to attend to the duty for those who occu- 
pied them. 

In October, 1813, Ira Condit (24), a licentiate of the 
1 Brother of Rev. Drs. George and David X. Junkin. 



HISTORY. 81 

Presbytery of Ohio, was received under the care of 
Presbytery, and on the 8th of November following, was 
ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of 
Fairfield and Big Sugar Creek. 

On the 20th of October, 1813, John Redick (26) 
was licensed to preach the gospel. On the same day 
it was urged upon all the churches, notwithstanding 
their poverty, to contribute to the fund for educating 
young men for the gospel ministry. 

On the 6th of April, 1814, Mr. Riggs was installed 
at Scrubgrass. At the meeting of Presbytery, Septem- 
ber 29, 1814, there was a movement that reveals the 
incipient dawn of a great moral enterprise. It con- 
tains the prophecy of the temperance reformation. Its 
voice now seems faint and feeble ; yet it was the bud 
wrapped up in its cerements, out of which grew the 
great work in which Presbytery, in later days, has taken 
such an active part. The minute and resolution are 
couched in the following words : — 

"The Presbytery, taking into view the pernicious 
effects of ardent spirits on the peace and good morals 
of society, and the necessity of testifying, by example as 
well as precept, against the common and excessive use 
of them at public meetings and social visits : Resolved, 
To make no use of them at their various ecclesiastical 
meetings." 1 

Mr. Eaton was released from the pastoral charge at 
Springfield, and Mr. Matthews from Gravel Run, in 
November of this year. In June, 1815, Amos Chase 
(25) was received from the South Consociation of 
Litchfield. He at once engaged in missionary work, 
and was for many years an untiring laborer in what has 
since become the great oil-field of Pennsylvania, trav- 

1 Min. ii. 41. 



82 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

elling from neighborhood to neighborhood, and from 
house to house, bearing the great message. At this 
meeting Mr. Eaton was permitted to supply the 
churches of Erie and North East. At this time the 
monthly concert of prayer for missions, was recom- 
mended to be observed on the first Monday evening of 
each month. 

At the same time the question of " moral societies * 
was discussed, and the following minute passed : — 

" Presbytery being informed by their commissioner 
to the General Assembly that moral associations have 
been formed in many parts of our church, and have 
been successful in checking immorality, and that the 
assembly at their late sessions have earnestly recom- 
mended the formation of such societies, deem it their 
duty to make known to the churches under their care 
the wish of the Assembly on this subject, confidently 
believing that they will cheerfully give their united aid 
in endeavoring to suppress Sabbath-breaking, drunken- 
ness, profane swearing, gambling, and all immoralities, 
within their bounds." 1 

At this meeting a complaint was brought against one 
of the pastors, for having violated a fast day, by going 
on that day to purchase whiskey. The investigation 
showed that the alleged offense was committed on a 
Thursday that had been set apart previous to the Lord's 
Supper. The offense, as urged, consisted solely in per- 
forming a secular work on a fast day, and not in the 
quality of the work itself. The Presbytery unanimously 
agreed that the delinquent pastor should be admonished 
by the moderator. 

On the 28th of September, 1815, John Eedick was 
ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of 

i Min. ii. 51. 



HISTORY. 83 

Slate Lick and Union. April 2, 1816, Timothy Alden 
(27) was received from the Presbytery of Jersey. At 
the same meeting a committee was appointed to draw 
up a petition to the Legislature in behalf of " Common 
English Schools." 

June 26, 1816, the congregation of Erie requested 
one third of the ministerial labors of Mr. Eaton. The 
request was granted. 

In September, 1816, the following resolution was 
adopted : — 

"Whereas, vice and immorality abound to the de- 
struction of the souls of men, and of the peace and hap- 
piness of the church ; therefore, the Presbytery resolve 
to bear a more public, decided, and unanimous testi- 
mony against vice in general, and particularly against 
the sins of drunkenness, Sabbath-breaking, swearing, 
gambling, dancing, etc., than formerly, and enjoin it 
on the ministers and sessions under their care to pay 
special attention to this resolution." 1 

The pastoral relation between William Wood and the 
congregation of Plaingrove was dissolved October 7, 
1816, and on the 1st of April, 1817, he was dismissed 
to the Presbytery of Hartford. 

On the 2d of April, 1817, the pastoral relation 
between Mr. Matthews and the congregation of Water- 
ford was dissolved. On the same day the pastoral rela- 
tion existing between Mr. Johnston and the congrega- 
tions of Meadville, Little Sugar Creek (Cochranton), 
and Conneaut Lake (Evansburg), was also dissolved. 
The congregation of Meadville then requested that Mr. 
Alden might be appointed as a stated supply ; but as 
there were arrearages still due Mr. Johnston, from a 
part of the charge, Presbytery declined the request. 

1 Min. ii. 65. 



84 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

This was the source of serious difficulty in these con- 
gregations. They felt that they were treated unjustly, 
and the result was that the church of Little Sugar Creek 
eventually withdrew from the Presbytery, and connected 
with the Presbytery of the Associate Reformed Church. 

On the 24th of June, 1817, John Munson (28), a licen- 
tiate of the Presbytery of Hartford, was received under 
the care of Presbytery. He was a native of New Jer- 
sey, a man of uncouth exterior, but of a genuine ear- 
nest nature, with a heart to work, and a physical consti- 
tution that peculiarly adapted him to the wants of the 
times. For a time he labored as a missionary. He 
would take his horse and set out on a tour of two 
hundred miles, seeking his way at times through cow- 
paths, over lofty hills, swimming rivers, fording streams, 
sleeping on the floors of log-cabins, eating corn-bread 
and bear meat, and all this that he might preach the 
gospel to the scattered settlements that were on the 
verge of the great forest. For a time the Upper Alle- 
ghany, and from that to Lake Erie, was his favorite re- 
sort. He would find the people, gather them together 
on Sabbath and on week-days, and preach the gospel 
to them. Sometimes his congregations were numbered 
by hundreds, and sometimes by half dozens. It mat- 
tered not ; one soul was precious, and a small company 
had the same promise of the Master's presence as a 
large one. His early habits of labor and toil in assist- 
ing in the support of the home family, and his custom 
of self-dependence in the great struggle with the world, 
from boyhood up, were of great use to him in the labors 
of the Lord's vineyard. And these early missionary 
labors fitted him for entering upon pastoral work, upon 
which he entered a year or two later. 

The question of psalmody is an interesting one in 



HISTORY. 85 

this connection. The minutes of Presbytery throw no 
light upon it. They are silent in regard to the ancient 
practice of the churches, and the gradual transition from 
the old version of the Psalms of David, to the imita- 
tions of the Psalms and the Hymns of Dr. Watts, and 
thence to the more improved hymnology of the modern 
church. That these changes took place without any 
jarring or discord or contention, we can hardly suppose. 
Human nature is by far too stern and rugged in its 
constitution to undergo such changes without conflict, 
even though they be connected with the worship of 
God and the spiritual enjoyment of the heart. And 
so the traditions that have come down to us from the 
fathers and mothers that have fallen asleep, and the 
recollections of fathers and mothers who yet linger 
amongst us, assure us of the troubles and contests that 
were connected with this subject. 

The records of the old Synod give us an idea of the 
feelings of the fathers in this matter. As far back as 
1765, we find this action passed by the Synod : — 

" After some consideration of the query concerning 
the use of Dr. Watts' imitation of the Psalms, the Sy- 
nod judged it best, in present circumstances, only to 
declare that they look on the inspired Psalms of Scrip- 
ture to be proper matter to be sung in divine worship, 
according to their original design and the practice of 
Christian churches, yet will not forbid those to use the 
imitation of them whose judgment and inclination leads 
them to do so." 

Twenty-two years later, 1787, the liberal feeling had 
greatly increased. " The Synod did allow, and hereby 
do allow, that Dr. Watts' imitation of David's Psalms, 
as revised by Mr. Barlow, be sung in the churches and 
families under their care." At the same meeting they 



86 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

advised care and caution in regard to the troubles that 
this subject had gathered around it. Charity and for- 
bearance and mutual conciliation, were earnestly en- 
joined upon the people and upon the ministers, so that 
no undue burdens might be laid upon either. 

In regard to the practice of the early fathers of the 
Presbytery of Erie, we have sufficient light to induce 
us to believe that from the very first they were in favor 
of a New Testament psalmody. But they were in ad- 
vance of the people generally. As a general thing, 
they used Watts' Psalms and Hymns, in family worship 
at home and in social worship, where it would not 
greatly offend the prejudices of the people. But on the 
Sabbath day, and in public worship, the old version of 
Rouse was generally used. There were exceptions, 
however, in regard to some of the old ministers. It was 
long before they could give up the idea of an "In- 
spired Psalmody," in public worship. It is related of 
good old Samuel Porter, of the Presbytery of Redstone, 
that being at a prayer meeting, where the people were 
singing with great animation — 

" Let them refuse to sing 

Who never knew our God; 
But children of the Heavenly King 
May speak their joys abroad; " 

he was greatly troubled, and distressed even, for he had 
not felt at liberty to sing words of human composure ; 
yet after hearing these lines, he joined in, saying to 
himself, as he afterwards remarked, — " If my con- 
science won't let me sing, I'll wring its neck." 

But there were almost intolerable prejudices in the 
minds of many of the people against the use of any- 
thing but Rouse. Some who did not appear to have 
much conscience in regard to other things of greater 



HISTORY. 87 

importance, were here immovable. They could not 
sing words of " human composition " in the Lord's wor- 
ship. They were wedded to the rough, jagged lines of 
Rouse, and could as readily be diverted from them as 
from the Holy Book itself. And the Synod acted rea- 
sonably and well in the matter, to urge charity, tender- 
ness, and forbearance toward the people. These old 
psalms had been hallowed in their minds as being con- 
nected with the blessed memories of early years, as 
associated with the family altar, as having been sung by 
lips voiceless now upon earth, but tuneful on the heights 
of Mount Zion. 

But it is evident that the early fathers generally were 
anxious for a fuller liberty in the praises of the Lord. 
They felt limited and constrained, and longed for a 
service of song that would be adapted to all times and 
circumstances. From introducing the use of Watts at 
home and in pastoral visitations, they gradually began 
to sing an occasional psalm or hymn from Watts in 
the social prayer-meeting, just as the feelings and 
prejudices of the people rendered it proper or expe- 
dient. This could very readily be done, as the use of 
books was not then a necessity in worship. The psalm 
or hymn was invariably " lined out " by the clerk. 
Sometimes one line at a time, and sometimes two, ac- 
cording to custom. One book in the congregation, then, 
would suffice for all. After the people became accus- 
tomed to the sound of Watts, and their prejudices 
began to soften, the pastor would occasionally introduce 
a hymn during the service of the Sabbath ; and thus the 
transition was passed, until in the course of years the 
use of hymns became the rule instead of the exception. 

But this change was not accomplished without a 
struggle. Men's feelings, passions, prejudices were 



88 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

sometimes all in the way. Sometimes the sound of a 
hymn, or even the sight of a hymn-book, would over- 
come all devotional feeling and all desire for worship, 
and induce a speedy departure from the house of God. 

There was a large admixture of Scotch-Irish element 
in all the churches there, and although eminently con- 
servative and Presbyterian, yet they remembered the 
green banks of Ireland, and the gay heather of Scot- 
land, and albeit they had sung paraphrases as well as 
psalms in the fatherland, yet they still looked upon 
these as having a kind of inspiration. Hymns had a 
doubtful look and a doubtful rhythm about them, and 
they could not at once fall in with them. Besides, they 
inherited something of the spirit of the Covenanters of 
old, and resolved to " contend earnestly for the faith 
once delivered to the saints." And so, sometimes, 
rather than give up what they considered the right of 
conscience, they preferred to leave the old church of 
their fathers, and find a home where old psalms were 
the rule. 

When Mr. Riggs took charge of Scrubgrass and 
Unity churches, they used Rouse's version of the psalms 
exclusively in divine service. This continued for some 
time, when the pastor, having scruples against this ex- 
clusive use, began to labor in private to prepare the 
people for a change. He used the version of Watts, 
together with his hymns, in social meetings, and occa- 
sionally sung one before divine service. When he 
thought the people were ripe for the change, a vote was 
taken at Unity Church, when it was directed that one 
of Rouse's psalms should be sung at the opening of the 
morning service, and Watts' the remainder of the time. 
This vote was passed with but three or four dissenting 
voices. Accordingly, on the next Sabbath, one of 



HISTORY. 89 

Rouse's psalms was sung ; and at the second singing one 
of Watts' psalms was announced, and the pastor com- 
menced reading it, when a certain tall, broad-shouldered, 
brusque-looking man, with a rich Milesian accent to his 
voice, having looked in vain for the psalm in his own 
thin volume, and thinking perhaps that the speech of 
the psalm bewrayed it, arose from his seat, stepped into 
the aisle, and addressing the minister, cried out : " Quut 
that ; " and receiving no attention from any source, 
proceeded up the aisle toward the pulpit, crying, " If 
you dunno quut that, 111 go up and pull ye doon by 
the neck." 

One of the elders here interposed between the bel- 
ligerent psalm-singer and the pulpit. Mr. Riggs spoke 
a few mild, soft words of rebuke, with a reference to 
the protecting power of the civil law ; when the irate 
Milesian turned suddenly about, and striding rapidly 
out of the house returned no more. Henceforward 
the congregation had no further trouble on the score of 
psalmody. This was the last roar of the storm that 
seemed so threatening. 

In other congregations there were difficulties of a 
similar kind. Some of the good fathers who had been 
nurtured upon the psalms, were disposed to consider 
anything else in the hour of worship as an innovation 
not to be tolerated for a moment. One such zealous 
worshipper was mortified and grieved at suddenly drop- 
ping a pocket Bible on the floor, under the belief that 
it was a " Methodissy Hymn-Book," as he had named 
Watts' Hymns. But these days passed away. Many, 
no doubt, left the Presbyterian Church and found a 
home in other branches of the church on account of 
psalmody, yet peace and harmony on this question at 
length prevailed. 



90 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

The matter of music in churches was another source 
of trouble. Formerly the " Seven Sacred Tunes," as 
some facetious individuals expressed it, were used to the 
exclusion of all others. They were the grand old 
airs of Scotland, that had resounded over brake and 
burn in times of peace, and struggled faintly through 
crevice and cranny of dens and caves where God was 
worshipped in days of persecution. Nothing like light- 
ness or undue rapidity was tolerated in church music. 
At first, nothing like a repetition of the words was sup- 
posed to be proper or decorous or lawful ; yet in the 
course of years, the mellowing influence of time was 
felt in softening prejudices and in reconciling the people 
to new things. In the lapse of time, the style of the 
music used in church became greatly changed. It be- 
came even more complicated and involved than that 
used at the present day. Fugue tunes became very 
popular. A glance at the music books that were in 
use forty years ago, shows us that this style of music 
was very common. And yet with all their defects in 
harmony and arrangement, there was a richness and 
exuberance about that music that renders many of 
the tunes very attractive even at the present day. The 
music then was by the congregation. A clerk " raised 
the tune," as they called it, and the people followed 
after, until the house and the grove and the hill-side 
were flooded with the strains of melody that gushed 
forth in praise to God. 

On the 25th of June, 1817, the pastoral relation ex- 
isting between Mr. Abraham Boyd and the congrega- 
tion of Middlesex was dissolved, on the ground of the 
inadequate support of the pastor. Measures were 
taken to organize a Missionary Society, agreeably to 
the recommendation of the General Assembly, and the 



HISTORY. 91 

matter of contributions to this purpose urged upon the 
churches. A day was set apart at the close of the June 
meeting, 1817, by the following action : " Presbytery, 
taking into view the prevalence of vice and immorality 
and the declining state of vital piety, together with the 
threatening aspect of Divine Providence with respect 
to the church in their bounds, appointed the first Mon- 
day of September next to be observed as a day of 
humiliation, fasting, and prayer." 

Mr. Alden had never been settled as pastor in the 
bounds of Presbytery. , His work was connected with 
Alleghany College at Meadville, Pa., of which he was 
President. This college was then under Presbyterian 
influence. But Mr. Alden had a love for missionary 
labor, and often took tours into the Indian Reservation 
lying along the Alleghany River, and within the bounds 
of the Presbytery. He had a great regard for the In- 
dians, and loved to visit them, not only for the opportu- 
nity of preaching the gospel to them, but of studying 
their character in their native habits and customs. 
These Indians were remains of the once powerful and 
ferocious Six Nations; but were now known as the 
Senecas and Munsees. They led an indolent and inac- 
tive life, and were, from the circumstances of the case, 
exposed to all the vices, and very few of the virtues, of 
the white man. 

For years Mr. Alden was in the habit of paying them 
a visit during the summer, as he could find time from 
his college engagements. At first, these excursions were 
undertaken on his own account and at his own charges. 
Afterwards they had the sanction of the Presbytery. 
At one time, on representations being made to the 
proper authorities, he received an appointment from the 
Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians. 



92 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

These labors were not regular or protracted, but occu- 
pied what time could be spared from the duties of the 
college. 

In these labors he came in contact with the famous 
Seneca chief Cornplanter, whose head-quarters were 
on the Alleghany Kiver, in Warren County, Pa. In a 
letter dated November, 1816, he gives an account of an 
interview with this famous chief: — 

" Last year, at a council of the tribe, Cornplanter 
made an eloquent speech of two hours' length, in 
which he gave a lucid history, of his life. He stated 
that his father was a white man from Ireland, and that 
his mother was a Seneca ; that he had always been at- 
tached to the tribe ; that he had been zealous in their 
way of worship ; but that now he was convinced they 
were all wrong ; that he was determined to devote him- 
self to the way in which the ministers walk — meaning 
the Christian religion. ' I know/ said he, ' that we are 
wrong ; I know that they are right. Their way of wor- 
shipping the Great Spirit is good. I see it ; I feel it ; I 
enjoy it.' 

" In this happy and persuasive manner did he, with 
his imperfect knowledge, plead the cause of Christ. In 
one part of his animated address, while speaking of his 
former views and habits, his language seemed to be 
like that of Paul, giving an account of his Pharisaic 
zeal in opposition to Christianity. In another part, it 
was like that of Joshua, stating his pious resolutions to 
the tribes of Israel at Shechem." * 

This old chieftain, the last of a line of heroic braves, 
lived to the patriarchal age of one hundred and five 
years, and lies buried by the side of the Alleghany, 
1 Sprague's Annals, 



HISTORY. 93 

whose waters he had been familiar with from his child- 
hood. 

On the loth of February, 1818, Mr. Matthews was 
dismissed to the Presbytery of Missouri. The mission- 
ary spirit was largely developed in his nature ; and as 
he looked out upon the inviting fields of the great 
West, he longed to explore them and do what he could 
in their evangelization. 

In these days frequent inquiries were instituted as to 
the matter of collections for " the Theological Sem- 
inary." This was, of course, the seminary at Princeton, 
for no other was then established. Although these 
early fathers had not enjoyed the advantages of such an 
institution themselves, they felt its value, and desired 
that those who were preparing for the sacred office 
might have every facility in their preparation for the 
work. 

It was also strictly enjoined on the churches to be 
careful in examining the credentials of travelling min- 
isters, as they were called, passing through the Presby- 
tery or tarrying within its bounds. A standing com- 
mittee of Presbytery was appointed, to whom all strange 
ministers were referred for examination ; and until ap- 
proved by them, it was considered disorderly for vacant 
churches to countenance them. This was rendered 
necessary from the fact that numerous adventurers 
from the East were at that time drifting westward, and 
seeking that standing amongst strangers they could not 
obtain at home. 

On the 28th day of February, 1818, John Munson 
was ordained and installed as pastor of the united con- 
gregations of Plaingrove and Center. In these exer- 
cises Mr. Chase preached the sermon, and Mr. McPher- 
rin delivered the charges. On the same day Mr. John- 



94 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

ston was dismissed to the Presbytery of Redstone. He 
had been a member of Presbytery fifteen years, and 
one of the most successful pastors within its bounds. 
At this meeting the question of the relation of persons 
baptized in infancy was discussed, when " It was moved 
and seconded, that those ministers and sessions who 
exercise discipline upon baptized members, and censure 
such as are guilty of any immorality, be considered as 
justifiable." This action was passed as the voice of the 
Presbytery. 

The matter of educating candidates for the minis- 
try still pressed earnestly upon the Presbytery. New 
measures were adopted and new efforts put forth. The 
matter was brought individually before each congrega- 
tion, and in order that vacant churches might have the 
same opportunity of contributing as those with pastors, 
a layman was sought out and appointed in each congre- 
gation within the bounds of Presbytery. There was at 
this time no general education board for the whole 
church. The Presbytery conducted the matter of edu- 
cation in its own way. Funds were collected through- 
out the congregations and paid into the treasury of 
Presbytery, and by it supplied to the students under its 
care, as circumstances seemed to justify. These stu- 
dents generally commenced their studies with the pas- 
tors. Sometimes their entire classical studies were 
pursued in this way ; and in all cases at the first, they 
pursued their theological course either with Dr. Mc- 
Millan or some pastor at home. In this way the funds 
of Presbytery, though small, were made to go a great 
way in preparing young men for the field. The rule 
then, as in more modern times, was that no prom- 
ising young man, desirous of entering the ministry, 
should be discouraged for want of funds. The pastors 



HISTORY. 95 

did a great work in this way. They generally lived on 
farms, and were always ready to receive young men 
into their families as students, furnishing them books, 
instruction, and a quiet home free of expense. In these 
days there was scarcely a minister in the Presbytery 
who was not instrumental in introducing one or more 
young men into the ministry, not only in the way of 
advice and encouragement, but in actually undertaking 
their instruction and maintenance, either in whole or in 
part. In this way every pastor's cabin in the early 
days was made a miniature college or theological 
seminary. Sometimes the pastor could say, as Dr. Mc- 
Millan did, in regard to the accommodations: " Some- 
times we had no bread for weeks together ; but we had 
plenty of pumpkins and potatoes and all the necessa- 
ries of life ; and as for luxuries, we were not much con- 
cerned about them." 1 But what they had was freely 
shared with the student. And many a time did the 
pastor's wife deny herself some great convenience, in 
order that the student might not want for hose, and that 
his wardrobe in other respects might be maintained in 
a presentable appearance. And in order to assist in 
the same matter, the mothers in Israel formed what 
they called " Cent Societies," the object of which was 
to collect funds mainly through their own labor, as well 
as to provide clothing, socks, collars, handkerchiefs, and 
other articles pertaining to wearing apparel, for the 
comfort and convenience of the young candidates for 
the ministry. There is a long record of self-denying 
labors and secret sacrifices, made by these early moth- 
ers in behalf of God's church and ministry, that will 
be found written only in God's Book of Remembrance, 
and concerning which it has already been said, " Inas- 

1 Sprague's Annals, vol. iii. p. 352. 



' 96 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

much as ye did it unto the least of these, my brethren, 
ye did it unto me." 

On the 29th of June, 1819, Phineas Camp (29) was 
received from the Presbytery of North River. He was 
from the State of New York, and the first minister 
received into the Presbytery who had been a student 
at a theological seminary. He had been through a 
full course at Princeton, and was a most zealous and 
fervid minister. To a warm, impassioned nature, he 
added a zeal and energy that were remarkable, and that 
adapted him peculiarly to missionary labor. He de- 
lighted to go from church to church and from house to 
house urging and entreating souls to trust in Christ. 
His labors in Erie County, Pennsylvania, and Chau- 
tauque County, New York, were peculiarly blessed. 
During his labors in this region, there were many cases 
of the " bodily exercise," spoken of in a preceding 
chapter. This was considered by Mr. Camp as of very 
great importance, as a manifestation of the divine 
Spirit, and a most encouraging feature connected with 
his labors. Perhaps Mr. Camp was the first member 
of the Presbytery who was known technically as a 
" revival minister.'' He seems to have been more suc- 
cessful in his labors as an Evangelist than as a settled 
pastor. On the 8th day of September, 1819, he was 
installed as pastor of the congregation of Westfield, 
New York. In these services Mr. Piggs preached the 
sermon, and Mr. Tait delivered the charges. 

At this meeting, a complaint was brought against the 
session of the church of North East, for inviting mem- 
bers of the Methodist Church " To be active with them 
at the Monthly Concert of Prayer." The Presbytery 
" Resolved, That we deem it wrong that members of the 
Methodist Church, a church that holds doctrines contrary 



HISTORY. 97 

to our confession of faith, be invited to be active mem- 
bers in our prayer meetings." This activity consisted in 
leading in prayer. Against this action Thomas Robinson 
complained to Synod. A reference to the action of this 
latter body shows that whilst the Synod approved of the 
zeal of Presbytery for the purity of the church, they yet 
feared that in this particular case the zeal was not alto- 
gether according to knowledge, and intimated kindly 
that the record was not judicious or charitable. 

On the 7th of October, 1819, Reid Bracken was re- 
leased from the pastoral charge of the congregation of 
Plain ; and on the same day calls from the congregation 
of Middlesex were placed in his hands and accepted by 
him. 

On the 15th of February, 1820, the Congregational 
church of Lottsville asked to be taken under the care 
of Presbytery. The request was granted, and Deacon 
Fox enrolled as a member. On the 28th of Septem- 
ber following, on petition of the inhabitants of Law- 
renceburg, the congregation of Ebenezer was recog- 
nized as under the care of Presbytery ; and on the same 
day Mr. Bracken was installed as pastor at Middlesex 
for half his time. 

The Presbytery at this time began to consider the 
propriety of another division of its boundaries. The 
labor of travelling to meetings of Presbytery was great, 
and that of supplying vacancies and performing mission- 
ary work was still more arduous. Accordingly, at a 
meeting held at Middlesex, Butler County, Pa., on the 
28th of September, 1820, a committee, consisting of Mr. 
Boyd and Mr. Eaton, was appointed to propose a divis- 
ion line of Presbytery. On the following day they pre- 
sented the following report, which was embodied in a 
7 



98 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

request to the Synod of Pittsburgh for the necessary 
action : — 

" Resolved, That the Presbytery of Erie request the 
Synod of Pittsburgh, at its next meeting, to set off a 
new Presbytery by a line commencing at the mouth of 
Little Neshannock Creek ; thence up Big Neshannock to 
the mouth of Yellow Creek ; thence up Yellow Creek to 
Hosack's Mill ; thence along the Mercer Road to Frank- 
lin, and north of Franklin to the mouth of French 
Creek ; thence up the Alleghany to the State line ; to 
include the Rev. Messrs. John McPherrin, Abraham 
Boyd, Robert McGarraugh, Cyrus Riggs, Reid Bracken, 
John Munson, and John Redick ; and all the congrega- 
tions south of that line, to be known by the name of 
Alleghany Presbytery." 

This request was granted by the Synod ; and the new 
Presbytery was directed to hold its first meeting " at 
the town of Butler, on the first Tuesday of April, 1821, at 
twelve o'clock ; to be opened with a sermon by the Rev. 
John McPherrin, and in case of his absence, by the 
next senior minister present, who is to preside until a 
moderator be chosen." 

At that meeting of Synod the Presbytery reported 
thirteen ministers and forty-seven congregations. Of 
these ministers Mr. Chase was without charge ; Mr. 
Tait settled at Mercer and Salem ; Mr. McPherrin at 
Butler and Concord ; Abraham Boyd at Bull Creek 
and Deer Creek ; Mr. McGarraugh at New Rehoboth 
and Licking ; Mr. Riggs at Scrubgrass and Unity ; Mr. 
Eaton at Fairview and Erie ; Mr. Bracken at Nebo 
and Middlesex ; Mr. Condit at Fairfield, Big Sugar 
Creek, and Sandy ; Mr. Redick at Slate Lick and Union ; 
Mr. Munson at Plaingrove and Center ; and Mr. Camp 
at Westfield. Mr. Alden was President of Alleghany 
College. 



HISTORY. * 99 

• 

It was now twelve years since the previous division of 
the Presbytery ; the territory had been more fully occu- 
pied, and although the number of ministers on the roll 
had not been largely increased, yet the general results 
were encouraging. Revivals of religion had not been so 
numerous nor so powerful as during the first period of 
the history of Presbytery ; yet the churches were not 
without the presence and refreshing influences of the 
Holy Spirit. During these years the narrative of the 
state of religion was not recorded ; yet in 1818, the min- 
utes record this testimony : " The Presbyjtery are of 
opinion that the evidences in favor of God's visiting 
most of our congregations with his grace, are more hope- 
ful than they have been for years past." Again, the next 
year, after " a free conversation," as they term it, in 
which they bewail carelessness and lukewarmness, they 
say : " The Presbytery are of opinion, that there are 
evidences of God's having graciously visited several of 
our congregations and vacancies' especially, in a manner 
not witnessed for some years past." 

It was during these years that the revivals connected 
with Mr. Camp's labors are reported, in which the 
" bodily exercise " was prevalent. 



CHAPTER IV. 

FROM THE SECOND DIVISION OF PRESBYTERY TO THE 
GREAT DIVISION. 

1820-1837. 

% 

By the late organization of the new Presbytery of 
Alleghany, the bounds of Presbytery were very much 
reduced. It now consisted of. the counties of Erie and 
Crawford, with portions of those of Mercer, Venango, 
and Warren. The territory was reduced about one half 

^ in its extent. 

* 

Its members numbered but six, one less than when it 
held its first meeting in 1802. Samuel Tait was settled 
at Salem and Mercer ; Johnston Eaton at Fairview 
and Erie ; Ira Condit at Fairfield, Big Sugar Creek, and 
Sandy ; Amos Chase without charge ; Timothy Alden, 
President of Alleghany College ; and Phineas Camp 
at Westfield, New York. At the next meeting of Synod, 
they reported twenty-nine congregations, the names of 
which, in addition to the pastoral charges given above, 
are : Westfield, Poland, Springfield, North East, Ripley, 
Conneaut, Waterford, Middlebrook, Cussawago, Gravel 
Run, Union,^Oil Creek, Great Brokenstraw, Lottsville, 
Beachwoods, Warren, Tidioute, Alleghany, Conneaut 
Lake, Harmonsburg, and United Christian Society. 

The circumstances under which the Presbytery 
were now situated, were somewhat discouraging. There 



HISTORY. 101 

were but four pastoral charges, leaving over twenty 
vacant churches to be supplied and nurtured. And 
these vacancies were generally weak. With the exception 
of Meadville, not one, or even two combined, seemed, 
able to support a minister. Still the Presbytery do not 
seem disheartened, but give themselves to the»work, 
and set forward as though they meant to accomplish the 
work set before them. 

The first meeting of Presbytery, after bidding fare- 
well to the brethren who were to set up the gates of 
the Presbytery of Alleghany, was at Gravel Kim, Penn- 
sylvania, on the 17th day of April, 1821. Mr. Tait was 
chosen moderator, and Mr. Alden clerk. John Van 
Liew (30), a licentiate of the Classis of New Brunswick, 
being present, was received under the care of Presby- 
tery. Mr. Van Liew was a licentiate of the Reformed 
Dutch Church. He was. licensed by the Classis of New 
Brunswick, N. J., and had preached but a short time 
before coming into the bounds of the Presbytery. The 
prospect was promising for his settlement at Meadville, 
and he was willing to change his ecclesiastical relation 
in order to enter this field of usefulness. He was a young 
man, and while in the dew of youth, entered* zealously 
upon the work. 

As a part of the minutes of this meeting of Presby- 
tery, the narrative of the state of religion is recorded. 
It is the first instance in which this was done. It is 
reported that " there is an increasing attention to the 
means of grace. Our vacancies are earnestly soliciting 
ministerial labors. Several congregations have been 
organized during the year, and some are preparing for, 
and are uncommonly anxious to settle, a minister." 

" Our benevolent societies have felt the general 
pressure of the times; but, unwilling to relax in their 



102 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

exertions, have ; in some cases, given their mites in 
clothing and books for the Indian schools. 

" In some congregations, there have been a number 
of hopeful additions. The most general awakening has 
been in Mercer and Salem, which were visited last sum- 
mer with the special • influences of the Spirit of God. 
The fruits of these gracious influences have been sixty 
added to the church." 

" The number of Sabbath-schools has been increasing, 
and their efforts flattering. The monthly concert of 
prayer is attended, and in some of our churches the 
pious are in the habit of spending Wednesday evening 
for the effusion of the Divine influence on the ministers 
and churches with which they are in connection." 

This is the first mention of the Sabbath-school enter- 
prise. It is not probable that schools were organized 
generally through the country churches. iTie people 
generally were scattered over a large extent of country, 
and could not conveniently meet for that purpose. But 
in the towns and villages the matter seems to have been 
generally attended to. Mr. Alden was the great apostle 
of Sabbath-schools in the Presbytery. When not engaged 
in his Indian missions, he spent his available time in 
going through its bounds, organizing schools, visiting 
those already organized, and encouraging the enterprise 
by his counsel and his efforts. The facilities for carrying 
on schools were not good. Books were scarce and un- 
suitable in character. The Bible, the Catechism, and 
oral instruction must be the chief dependence. And 
these, with an earnest prayerful heart on the part of 
teachers and superintendent, were blessed to great good 
by the Head of the Church. 

On the 21st day of August, 1821, John Van Liew 
was ordained and installed as pastor of the congre- 



HISTORY. 103 

gation of Meadville. In these services Mr. Eaton 
preached from these words : " How shall they hear 
without a preacher ? " Rom. iii. 10 ; and Mr. Chase pre- 
sided and delivered the charges. 

This settlement of Mr. Van Liew was the dawn of 
better days to the church of Meadville. For the last 
three or four years they had been dependent mainly on 
supplies. During a portion of that time, by a private 
arrangement, they had enjoyed the labors of Mr. Al- 
den and Allan D. Campbell, 1 then in connection with 
the Associate Reformed Church. These brethren sup- 
plied on alternate Sabbaths. But there was dissatisfac- 
tion in the church. At one time they were on the eve 
of calling Mr. Campbell, and putting the church under 
the care of the Associate Reformed Presbytery. But 
this intention failed. The people became united in Mr. 
Van Liew ; the feeling of dissatisfaction with the Pres- 
bytery ceased, and the church began to prosper. The 
whole of Mr. Van Liew's time was taken, and the con- 
gregation was thenceforward self-sustaining. 

On the 21st of August, 1821, Mr. Camp's pastoral 
relation to the church of Westfield, N. Y., was dissolved. 
The pastoral work was not so congenial to him as 
the work of an Evangelist. He felt most at home 
when travelling from place to place, and seeking out 
destitute points, and preaching the Word of Life. 

In February, 1822, Presbytery, after considering the 
destitution of the vacant churches under its care, sent 
a pastoral letter to each vacant church, proposing a 
plan for their relief, and stimulating them to exertion 
on their own part. After reminding them of their delin- 
quencies in the matter of remunerating their supplies, 
they say : " The plan we have adopted for the pur- 
i Born in England, 1791; licensed, 1815; ordained, 1818; died, 1861. 



104 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

pose of remedying this defect, is as follows : Every 
vacant congregation shall become responsible by its 
proper officers, or otherwise, for as large a sum as can 
be raised with certainty within the bounds. The sum 
thus raised, with the aid expected to be obtained from 
missionary societies, will probably be sufficient for the 
support of a missionary the whole year. As an induce- 
ment for exertion, we hold out the assurance that 
every congregation shall receive its quota of missionary 
labor in proportion to the moneys raised within its 
bounds. Let it be also understood that the service of 
the missionary in each place will, with the expected aid 
from abroad, be nearly double the amount subscribed." 

This appeal was responded to at the next meeting of 
Presbytery by eleven churches, reporting in the aggre- 
gate two hundred and eighty-two dollars and fifty cents. 

In the autumn of 1822, Mr. Tait was appointed by 
Synod as superintendent, pro tern,, of the mission fam- 
ily about to be located among the Ottowa Indians on 
the Maumee River, and the Presbytery was directed to 
supply his pulpit during his absence. This position he 
held for about seven months. 

In the mean time trouble was brewing in Springfield, 
in Erie County, Pa. A Presbyterian church had been 
organized there by Mr. Eaton in the year 1806. Of 
this church he had been the pastor for many years. 
About the year 1821, a Congregational church was 
formed. The consequence was, that the efforts of the 
people were divided. Bickerings and heart-burnings 
were engendered, and the matter was brought to the 
notice of Synod. The Congregational wing of the 
church had applied to the Presbytery of Grand River to 
be taken under its care. This Presbytery was advised 
by Synod not to take the church under its care, and 



historf. 105 

a committee appointed to visit Springfield to endeavor 
to reconcile difficulties, and recommending the two con- 
gregations of Springfield to observe the 15th of the fol- 
lowing November as a day of fasting and prayer. 

The committee, consisting of Thomas Edgar Hughes, 
an old member of the Presbytery of Erie, E. T. Wood- 
ruff, and Randolph Stone, visited Springfield, held a 
" free conversation " with the people of the two congre- 
gations, and heard statements from both parties. The 
Presbyterian brethren were then requested to withdraw, 
when the committee proposed to the Congregational 
brethren a union with the Presbyterians, on condition 
of being present at the examination of candidates for 
membership in the church, and asking such questions 
as conscience might dictate, and also of attending all 
cases of trial and discipline. This was agreed to. The 
Congregational brethren then withdrew, and the Pres- 
byterian brethren were called in. The terms of union 
on the part of the former were laid before them and 
agreed to, and the Congregation alists were called in, 
when the following resolution was mutually adopted : — 

" Resolved, That the present ruling elders in the 
Presbyterian Church, namely, Charles Manly, Isaac 
Miller, James Blair, Robert Porter, and Allen Law, and 
the present acting deacon in the Congregational church ? 
namely, William Branch, be, and are hereby consti- 
tuted, the standing committee of the United Church of 
Springfield, according to the principles of union recom- 
mended by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
Church, and the General Association of Connecti- 
cut." 1 

Against this action of the committee, the Presbytery 
complained. The elders of the church at Springfield 

1 Minutes of Synod, 1823. 



106 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

wrote to Presbytery for advice in the matter. After 
discussing the action of the committee, Presbytery re- 
solved that said committee had " assumed a stretch of 
power not authorized by the constitution or usages of 
the Presbyterian Church, in setting aside the eldership 
of the Presbyterian Church of Springfield, as the said 
Synodical committee virtually did, by appointing a com- 
mittee that was to supersede the elders of that church ; 
and therefore that the act of said Synodical committee, 
and thus setting aside the eldership of that church, is 
null and void." * 

They further resolved that the elders of said church 
were the constitutional officers. 

At the next meeting of Synod the matter was com- 
promised and settled by Synod declaring that the 
action of the committee did not affect the standing 
or position of the session, but simply added Deacon 
Branch to their number. 

On the 8th of April, 1823, Rev. William Kennedy 
was received from the Presbytery of Huntington, and 
at the same meeting dismissed to the Presbytery of 
Alleghany. He seems to have passed from that Pres- 
bytery to some other the same year or the next, as his 
name does not appear on the roll after the next meet- 
ing of Synod. 

On the 1st of October of the same year, John Bar- 
rett, a licentiate of the Andover Association of the 
Congregational Church, was received under the care 
of Presbytery. He labored for a time in the vacant 
churches, but was never settled, and was eventually dis- 
missed to the care of the Presbytery of Grand River, in 
1826. 

At this meeting also, Presbytery received under its 
1 Min. ii. 142. 



HISTORY. 107 

care three candidates for the gospel ministry, — Thomas 
Anderson (37), a graduate of Washington College, and 
Absalom McCready (36), and John C. Tidball, graduates 
of Jefferson College. The first two were eventually 
licensed and ordained by the Presbytery ; the latter was 
dismissed to another Presbytery. Mr. Judah Ely, a 
licentiate of the Presbytery of Niagara, was permitted 
to labor for a time within the bounds, but was never 
received under the care of Presbytery. 

On the 13th of April, 1824, Bradford Marcy (31), 
was received from the Presbytery of Long Island. He 
had been living for some time in Crawford County, but 
had turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 
these he was successful. He had no pastoral charge in 
the Presbytery. Although a man of some learning and 
zeal, yet his success in the pastoral work was confined 
to his earlier fields of labor at Islep, on Long Island, 
and in New Jersey. 

On the 21st of June, 1824, the pastoral relation be- 
tween Mr. Van Liew and the church of Meadville was 
dissolved. Mr. Van Liew's health had been feeble for 
some time, and feeling that it might be improved by 
returning to the sea-board, asked to be released for that 
purpose. On the following day he was dismissed to the 
Presbytery of Jersey. 

On the 9th of February, 1825, Mr. Camp was dis- 
missed to the Presbytery of St. Lawrence ; and on the 
same day David McKinney (32), a licentiate of the 
Presbytery of Philadelphia, was taken under the care 
of Presbytery, and accepted calls from the congregation 
of Erie, Pa. At this meeting Presbytery assigned to 
Mr. McCready, as a theme for a Latin exegesis : "Non 
ignari mali miseris, sucurrere disco ; " and to Mr. An- 
derson : " Auri sacra fames." 



108 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

On the 2d of March, 1825, Nathan Harned (34), a 
licentiate of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, and Giles 
Doolittle (33), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Oneida, 
were received under the care of Presbytery. 

On the 13th of April, 1825, David McKinney was 
ordained and installed as pastor of the 1st Presby- 
terian congregation of Erie. In these services ' Mr. 
Alden preached, and Mr. Tait delivered the charges. 
This was the first pastoral settlement in the church at 
Erie. Mr. Patterson had first labored statedly for a 
time, and a call was made out for his pastoral labors in 
connection with North East and Middlebrook, but he 
was never installed. Afterwards Mr. Eaton labored for 
some five years from one third to one half of his time, 
but it was simply as a stated supply. They worshipped 
at this time in the " Yellow Meeting-house.'' Mr. Colt 
was the principal ruling elder and prime patron of the 
church. He had been converted under the ministra- 
tions of Mr. Mc Curdy of Cross Roads, and had con- 
nected with the church at Upper Greenfield, on Middle- 
brook, and was always a consistent, earnest Christian 
and efficient ruling elder. Now a pastor was called, 
and the church began to gather strength, and has 
since exerted a most important influence in the com- 
munity. The session of the church had been in corre- 
spondence with Dr. Archibald Alexander in relation to 
a student of Princeton. The doctor states in a letter 
dated June 3, 1823 : " We are not able to meet the 
demands for missionaries ; not more than a tenth of 
the calls can be answered." Dr. Alexander had first 
recommended to Mr. Colt, Joseph H. Jones, 1 speaking 
of him as "a graduate of Harvard University, of re- 
spectable talents and acquirements, and very amiable in 
1 Now Dr. Jones of Philadelphia. 



HISTORY. 109 

his manner and disposition." The salary spoken of 
was " thirty-three dollars per month." Mr. Jones vis- 
ited Erie, travelling on horseback, and spent some 
weeks, making a most favorable impression. He after- 
wards declined the call to Erie. Dr. Alexander then 
wrote under date of January 16, 1824 : — 

" I have concluded to advise that David Mc Kinney, 
now in the seminary, should pay you a visit in the Fall. 
He is a young man, not of showy, but of solid talents. 
As a student, he is indefatigable, and possesses a sound 
judgment, with an excellent character for piety." 

Under these circumstances, Mr. McKinney entered 
upon the work, and was rewarded with a good degree 
of success. If the thirty-three dollars per month was 
not sufficient, it was eked out by -teaching and other 
arrangements. 

On the 14th of April, 1825, Giles Doolittle (33) was 
ordained and installed as pastor of the united congre- 
gations of North East and Ripley, the former in Erie 
County, Pa., the latter in Chautauque County, N. Y. 
In these services, Mr. Eaton preached, and Mr. Tait 
delivered the charges. North East had been formerly 
known as Lower Greenfield, and had constituted a part 
of the pastoral charge of Mr. Patterson, and from which 
he had been released in 1807. Ripley had not hereto- 
fore engaged the labors of a pastor. Mr. Doolittle was 
a most excellent pastor. Accustomed from childhood to 
exertion and effort, he labored most assiduously for the 
building up of his congregations. He was successful. 
His people enjoyed several revivals during his pastor- 
ate. In some things he differed from his brethren, yet 
he always had the glory of God in view, and labored 
earnestly for the good of souls. Although he found 
many difficulties in his way, he yet, by precept and ex- 



110 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

ample sought to lead the erring, the opposing, and the 
indifferent in the way of life. 

In the year 1825, Messrs. Tait and Eaton were 
appointed to prepare a history of Presbytery, and the 
members enjoined to grant them such aid as might be 
in their power. One year from this time the committee 
reported progress, and were directed to continue their 
labors. 

On the 20th of April, 1825, Nathan Harned was or- 
dained and installed as pastor of the united congrega- 
tions of Warren, Sugar Grove, Great Brokenstraw, and 
Lottsville. Mr. Tait preached on the occasion, and Mr. 
Chase delivered the charges. Here was a wide field, 
and one that has continued, with the exception of War- 
ren, missionary ground for more than forty years. 

On the 28th day of December of the same year, Mr. 
Condit was released from the charge of the congrega- 
tion of Big Sugar Creek, and devoted the one third of 
his time to that of Amity, in the Presbytery of Alle- 
ghany. On the same day, Absalom McCready (36), and 
Thomas Anderson (37), were licensed to preach the 
gospel. 

On the 28th of December, 1825, Mr. Tait was re- 
leased from the pastoral charge of Salem, where he 
had been laboring for the third of his time ; and a call 
was put into his hands for the whole of his time from 
the congregation of Mercer. This call was accepted on 
the following month, when the whole of his time was 
given to Mercer, until the period of his death. 

The first place of preaching in Mercer was the upper 
room of the jail, an old log building that stood near 
the Diamond. The first effort towards the erection of 
a house of worship, was made by drawing logs and put- 
ting up the body of a house, but the building was never 



HISTORY. Ill 

covered. After this a brick building was erected, but 
so frail was the construction, that it was never consid- 
ered safe, and was finally abandoned. It was not until 
the year 1830, that a comfortable house was erected. 

On the 18th of January, 1826, Mr. Harned was re- 
leased from the pastoral charge of Great Brokenstraw ; 
and at the same time the organization of a church at 
Randolph, in Crawford County, was reported. 

On the 11th of April, 1826, Mr. Condit accepted calls 
from the congregation of Upper Sandy, now George- 
town. This call was for one third of Mr. Condit's 
time. On the 24th of May following, Mr. Chase was 
installed as pastor of the congregation of Oil Creek, 
for half his time. This church is now known as Titus- 
ville. Mr. Chase had for the last ten years acted as a 
missionary through the country now known as the " Oil 
Region." He had gathered this church, and established 
a preaching-point at Centerville, in which he was in- 
stalled the following year, a church having been organ- 
ized by Mr. McKinney, and wished for a little relief 
from the constant travel ; yet he reserved still one 
fourth of his time for the regions beyond. 

On the 24th day of May of this year, Wells Bush- 
nell (35), a licentiate of the Presbytery of New Bruns- 
wick, was received under the care of Presbytery, and 
accepted calls from the congregation of Meadville. 
His ordination took place on the 22d of June follow- 
ing, when he was regularly installed as pastor of the 
congregation. In these services, Mr. Stockton, the first 
pastor of the church, being present by invitation, 
preached the sermon. Mr. Tait delivered the charge 
to the pastor, and Mr. Eaton the charge to the people. 

On the 24th of May, 1826, Mr. Harned was released 
from the pastoral charge of the congregations of War- 



112 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

ren and Sugar Grove, and on the 22d of June follow- 
ing, he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Hartford, 
In June of this year the congregation of North Bank, 
in Crawford County, was organized. 

On the 14th of September, Absalom McCready (36) 
was ordained and installed as pastor of the united con- 
gregations of Middlebrook and Beaverdam, in Erie 
County. Mr. McKinney preached the sermon, Mr. 
Tait delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Doo- 
little the charge to the people. 

Middlebrook was formerly known as Upper Green- 
field, and had constituted a part of Mr. Patterson's 
charge as early as 1803. It was in fact one of the old- 
est churches in the bounds of the Presbytery. 

On the 19th day of September following, Thomas 
Anderson (37) was ordained and installed as pastor of 
the united congregations of Big Sugar Creek, Concord, 
and Franklin, in Venango County. Mr. Bushnell 
preached the sermon, Mr. Chase delivered the charge 
to the pastor, and Mr. McKinney the charge to the 
people. Previous to this time Franklin had been under 
the care of the Presbytery of Alleghany, but was about 
this time, at the request of the congregation, set over 
to the Presbytery of Erie. It was an arduous charge 
upon which Mr. Anderson entered. Concord was 
twenty miles distant from either of the other two con- 
gregations, and they were seven miles asunder. The 
roads were bad, and the weather often stormy. The 
congregations too, were weak, and the salary small. 
Once whilst living in Franklin, the barrel of meal and 
the cruse of oil were just about failing. The family 
sat down to breakfast on bread and molasses, and 
coffee. The usual blessing was sought. The bread 
and molasses were discussed. The minister betook 



HISTORY. 113 

him to his study, telling the family that God would 
provide for them, as He fed even the little birds ; the 
mother sat down to her toil until the evening, when 
two sons of good Mrs. Bowman appeared with a basket 
filled with comforts and even luxuries. That night the 
pastor thanked God for " friends, food, and raiment." 

The church of Franklin consisted at the time of Mr. 
Anderson's settlement of but fourteen members. The 
first communion was held on the bank of French 
Creek, under the shade of the trees. He was the first 
pastor, and always afterward spoke of it as his first love. 

On the 11th of January, 1827, Pierce Chamberlain 
(38), a member of the Presbytery of New Castle, was 
received as a member of Presbytery. He was a meek, 
quiet, good man, who had devoted much time and labor 
to missionary work. From the prisons and almshouses 
of Philadelphia, he had come to the missionary terri- 
tory of Northwestern Pennsylvania. And he did good 
service in this work. He was constantly going from 
point to point, preaching, organizing Sabbath-schools, 
and encouraging the vacant churches. 

On the 11th of January, 1827, the people of Cool 
Spring petitioned Presbytery for a new organization. 
They had been disbanded now for some years, and had 
generally been identified with Mercer. But the settle- 
ment was filling up. It was some distance to Mercer, 
and they thought their interests required a separate or- 
ganization. The measure was opposed by Mr. Tait with 
all his accustomed warmth and energy, and the consid- 
eration of the petition was postponed until the next 
meeting of Presbytery. At this meeting Mr. Bushnell 
was appointed to organize the church, who at a subse- 
quent meeting, April 29, 1828, reported that he had 
organized the church. 
8 



114 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

On the 10th of October, 1827, Mr. Condit was in- 
stalled as pastor of the congregation of Georgetown. 
This was formerly known as Upper Sandy congregation. 
Mr. Condit labored here for one third of his time. 

On the 9th of April, 1828, James Alexander (40), a 
member of the church of Mercer, was licensed to 
preach the gospel. 

On the 24th of June, 1828, Peter Hassinger (39), a 
licentiate of the Presbytery of New Castle, was taken 
under the care of Presbytery. On the 1st of October 
following, Mr. Hassinger was ordained and installed as 
pastor of the congregation of Gravel Run, in Crawford 
County. Mr. Doolittle preached on the occasion. Mr. 
Chase delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. 
McKinney to the people. In the mean time Mr. Cham- 
berlain had been called to the church at Springfield. 
His feeling and desire were to accept, but feebleness 
of health compelled him to return the call, and devote 
himself to missionary work. 

On the 13th of October, 1828, James Alexander was 
ordained and installed as pastor of the united congrega- 
tions of Salem, Greenville, and Big Bend. Mr. Cham- 
berlain preached. Mr. Eaton delivered the charge to 
the pastor, and Rev. H. Coe, who was present from the 
Presbytery of Grand River, the charge to the people. 

April 22, 1829, Mr. Condit was dismissed from 
Amity. 

During these last years some interesting revivals of re- 
ligion had occurred. In Mr. Doolittle's charge the Spirit 
of God had been poured out with power. Some inter- 
esting cases are reported of the manner in which these 
manifestations were at first noticed. In North East, 
an elder * was awakened in the middle of the night by 

1 William Dickson. 



HISTORY. 115 

a messenger from the country. On inquiry as to his 
desire, he cried out, — 

" O, do come out and see , he is in a most 

dreadful way." 

" But what is the matter ? " 

" He is suffering everything. Come out quickly and 
do something for him." 

" Go for the doctor if he is sick ; I am not the one to 
send for on such an occasion." 

"But it is not the doctor he wants. He complains of 
his sins, and is afraid he will be lost forever ; and we 
thought you could come and pray for him, and maybe 
do him some good. We did not know what else to do." 

The elder went out and prayed, and counseled with 
the young man. This was the beginning of a good 
work. Soon after, during the progress of some meet- 
ings, a strong, honest man from the country, known as 
Billy Wilson, was at the church on the Sabbath. God's 
Spirit was stirring the hearts of the people, and many, 
who had hardly a religious conviction before, were 
moved and melted by his power. Wilson felt troubled 
and anxious without fully comprehending his feelings. 
They were new to him. During the recess between 
sermons he stepped over to the hotel, and was standing 
before the fire, doubtful as to the cause of his strange 
feelings. At length, stepping up to the bar, he said, ad- 
dressing the proprietor: " Lem, I feel most dreadful 
bad to-day ; I guess I'll take a little whiskey ; the day 
is raw, and it may help me." The bar had been par- 
tially closed, out of respect to the Sabbath, but a small 
pigeon-hole was left open for the accommodation of 
an occasional visitor. The proprietor set down the 
bottle, but still holding the glass in his hand, seemed 
for a moinent in a brown study. At length he said : 
" Billy, where is it that you feel bad ? * 



116 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

" O, Lem ; I feel monstrous bad about my heart ; I 
never felt so before/' 

The bottle and glass were immediately returned to 
the shelf, with the curt advice : " Billy, it is not whis- 
key you want ; it 's the minister. Go to him at once, 
for you're under conviction." 

The result was that Wilson became a Christian, and 
the Lord remembered Lemuel Brown for his good 
deed done to one who was under conviction, for many 
years had not rolled by, before he too was brought into 
the church. 

On the 22d of April, 1829, the following paper on 
Temperance was adopted : — 

" Resolved — 1. That Presbytery view with much 
satisfaction the efforts now making in the cause of tem- 
perance, and hope to see them crowned with great 
success. 

" 2. That we recommend to the congregations under 
our care, the formation of societies for the promotion 
of temperance. 

" 3. That as we have derived great aid from the female 
friends of Zion in the cause of benevolence, we would 
now recommend to them the formation of societies, to 
aid, not only by an example, but also by the whole 
weight of their influence, the cause of temperance. 

" 4. That the ministers of the Presbytery form them- 
selves into a temperance society, on the plan of rigid 
and entire abstinence from the use of ardent spirits, 
except for medicinal purposes." 1 

By this time the bud, spoken of in chapter second, 
as having presented itself in 1814, had expanded into 
the full-blown flower. Public opinion had made rapid 

1 Min. ii. 241. 



HISTORY. 117 

strides in the course of fifteen years, and no doubt the 
fruit that followed was good and wholesome. 

On the 22d of April, 1829, Mr. McKinney was re- 
leased from the pastoral charge of the church of Erie. 
At the same meeting the Commissioners to the Gen- 
eral Assembly were directed " to purchase sixty copies of 
the ' Confession of Faith ' of our Church, for our con- 
gregations, for the payment of which, Presbytery will 
be responsible." 

On the 24th of June of the same year, Mr. Condit 
was installed as pastor of the congregation of Cool 
Spring, for one third of his time. This relation contin- 
ued until his death in 1836. 

On the same day, George A. Lyon (41), a licentiate 
of the Presbytery of Carlisle, was received under the 
care of Presbytery, and accepted calls from the congre- 
gation of Erie. This action was followed by the ordi- 
nation and installation of Mr. Lyon at the next meeting 
of Presbytery, September 9, 1829, as pastor of the con- 
gregation of the 1st Presbyterian Church, Erie, Pa. In 
these services Mr. Doolittle preached the sermon, Mr. 
Tait presided, Mr. Bushnell delivered the charge to the 
pastor, and Mr. Anderson the charge to the people. 
Mr. Lyon entered upon his work with every encourage- 
ment. He was in the strength of youth, the congrega- 
tion was enlarging its boundaries, and the people were 
unanimous in sustaining him. The old " Yellow Meet- 
ing-house " had been abandoned, and a large, comfortable 
brick house was now occupied as the place of worship. 

At the same meeting of Presbytery, the church of 
Harmonsburg was enrolled. This church is in Craw- 
ford County. A day of fasting and prayer was also 
appointed, " for the purpose of unitedly calling upon 
God for the outpouring of his Spirit upon that section 



118 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

of his church with which we are more especially con- 
nected, as well as upon the church at large." 

On the 13th of January, 1830, Mr. Chase was released 
from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Cen- 
terville, in Crawford County. 

On the 14th of April, of the same year, George W. 
Hampson (43), a member of the church of North East, 
was licensed to preach the gospel. On the same day 
Mr. Chase was released from the pastoral charge of 
the congregation of Oil Creek, and Mr. Doolittle from 
that of Ripley. Mr. Doolittle then accepted a call 
from North East, for the whole of his time. 

On the 21st of September, 1830, Mr. McKinney was 
dismissed to connect himself with the Presbytery of 
Huntington. He had been a member of Presbytery 
five years. 

On the next day, Edson Hart (42), a member of the 
Presbytery of Trumbull, was received as a member of 
Presbytery. 

On the 2d day of February, 1831, Robert Glenn (44) 
was licensed to preach the gospel. He had been a stu- 
dent of Mr. Tait, a man of no pretension to brilliancy, 
yet a genuine, earnest worker in the cause of Christ ; 
and his record was marked with the seal of God's 
approval throughout his ministry. 

On the 23d of the same month, Mr. Hassinger was 
released from the pastoral charge of the congregation 
of Gravel Run, and on the 14th of April following, 
Mr. Anderson was released from the pastoral charge of 
Concord. 

There was a recommendation at this time that throws 
light* upon the practice of the church at this period of 
its history : " Presbytery, taking into consideration the 
destitute state of the vacant congregations under their 



HISTORY. 119 

care, recommend to its members and such vacancies, to 
adopt the practice of holding two, three, or four days' 
meetings during the week, and administering the Lord's 
Supper ; and that two or three ministers go together on 
such occasions." * These days were usually observed 
in the following order : On Thursday, a fast day was 
observed. It was not usually observed as a day of 
literal fasting, but simply as a day of abstinence from 
worldly labor. On Saturday, divine service was held 
as preparatory to the Communion. On Sabbath the 
communion service was attended to ; and this was fol- 
lowed by service on Monday. It was also usual to hold 
evening service at school-houses in different parts of 
the congregation, in the evenings during these days. 
Sometimes two, and sometimes three, ministers were 
present during these meetings. The services, particu- 
larly of the Sabbath, were protracted, and the addresses 
at the communion table were long and varied. 

Whilst these meetings were being held, the people of 
the congregation, and others, expected to give all their 
attention to the matter. Business was so arranged that 
the families could attend without distraction. This ex- 
tended in a greater or less degree to neighboring con- 
gregations. In these days the service was usually 
known as " The Sacrament." Such a meeting was 
known far and near, and people thronged thither from 
distances of ten or twelve miles or more. Families 
living near the place of meeting always expected to 
accommodate strangers at their houses. Sometimes 
their houses were crowded for two or three days in suc- 
cession. Where the ordinary accommodations were not 
sufficient, cots and blankets were laid upon the floors. 
Everything was free and welcome as the provisions of 

1 Min. iii. 37. 



120 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

the gospel they came to receive. And for such occa- 
sions, families made provision for weeks beforehand ; 
and looked upon it as a matter of course. 

At this time houses of worship were generally pro- 
vided, yet on sacramental occasions they often resorted 
to the grove. There was more room. The air was 
fresh and pure. The heart was more cheerful. Some- 
times storms would come up, and summer showers pour 
down, but it did not seem to disturb the people. They 
would sit unmoved in the driving rain, and the minis- 
ters would preach in the storm as though they knew not 
of its presence. Nor were the services abridged by 
these unfavorable circumstances. The ministers came 
to preach and administer the ordinances ; and the peo- 
ple came to hear ; and so they fulfilled their intentions, 
without regard to the clouds or the rain. 

To these meetings as of old, people came on foot where 
there were not conveniences for riding. Sometimes the 
oxen were attached to the farm-wagon, and this sufficed 
for the entire family. But young women often walked 
from two to five miles to " meeting," as the service was 
called. Sometimes they walked barefooted, and carried 
their shoes to within a short distance of the meeting- 
house, and then put them on ; sometimes they wore 
coarse shoes, and exchanged near the place of worship, 
leaving their coarse shoes in some place of conceal- 
ment. 

These " four days' meetings," in some parts of the 
Presbytery, about the year 1831, became remarkable 
for a new feature. This was the presence of ministers 
who were called revival men, or Evangelists, as they 
sometimes styled themselves. They went from place 
to place, devoting themselves entirely to this kind of 
work. In many of these meetings the pastor of the 



HISTORY. 121 

church acted quite a subordinate part, leaving all to the 
evangelist, who preached on day after day, exhorting, 
entreating, and persuading men to turn to the Lord. 

About this time, too, a new feature in Presbyterian - 
ism was introduced, called the " Anxious Seat." It was 
simply a certain seat or seats set apart, to which per- 
sons anxious about the concerns of the soul were invited 
to come, as an expression of their feelings, and for the 
purpose of being conversed with and made the sub- 
ject of special prayer. Sometimes such persons were 
simply invited to come ; at others they were urged 
and entreated to take this as the most important step 
of their lives. Like almost every other good work, 
this was sometimes carried to an extreme. Sometimes 
too great stress was laid upon the simple matter of 
going to the anxious seat. Sometimes, possibly, per- 
sons were persuaded to go there who had no heart con- 
viction, and were disappointed or deceived. But many 
of the ministers of that day considered that they were 
drawing the gospel net, and that all were to be gathered 
in, where at the last the good would be gathered into 
vessels and the bad cast away. Others opposed these 
measures. They could not think them necessary, but 
rejected them as innovations, and having a dangerous 
tendency. And the records of the churches show that 
the revivals of that day were not confined, by any means, 
to those congregations where the new measures were 
adopted. As a general thing the older ministers hesi- 
tated about countenancing them. Such men as Father 
Tait, although their hearts were always warm, and the 
spirit of revival always glowing in their preaching, felt 
that " the old paths " were safest and best. In the 
good old days of 1802, powerful revivals were enjoyed 
without them. Souls flocked to Christ under the simple 



122 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

preaching of the Word, and the irresistible influences 
of the Spirit of God ; and they thought these the best 
means that could be used. 

On the other hand the younger ministers, at least 
many of them, adopted the new measures, conscien- 
tiously believing them best adapted to accomplish the 
great object. Something was needed to attract atten- 
tion and fix the mind. Something was wanted to in- 
duce inquirers to commit themselves to the great work, 
and thus take the first step toward the service of God. 
Something was needed by way of example, to induce 
others to go in the same direction. Thus they reasoned, 
and thus they pursued the course that to them seemed 
right. Great* good was done, no doubt, and many 
brought into the Church. 

But in many cases disastrous results followed. Some 
of these revival men were not men after God's own 
heart. Whilst some of them were earnest, conscien- 
tious men, others were moved only by excitement, if 
not by a more unworthy motive still. And at times 
the hurt of the daughter of God's people was healed 
but slightly. The building was daubed with untem- 
pered mortar. Desolation was found in the track of 
what the pious, earnest people of God thought was the 
chariot of salvation. 

Nor is this strange or unusual. Satan strives to 
counterfeit every good work. In the midst of the won- 
drous works that Moses did in the presence of Pha- 
raoh, we read: "These things did the magicians with 
their enchantments." When the Apostles wrought 
miracles, and such wondrous scenes were witnessed of 
divine power and efficacy, Simon Magus offered them 
money that he might take part in the glorious work. 
And an hundred years ago, when wondrous revival 



HISTORY. 123 

scenes were witnessed in Eastern Pennsylvania, Mary- 
land, and New Jersey, disorders crept in that marred 
and blighted the beautiful work of God. And during 
the powerful outpouring of the Spirit that occurred 
during the founding of the Presbytery of Erie, the 
wheat and the tares were seen springing up together. 
So it is, and so it will be in all the imperfect scenes of 
time. The good and the evil dwell together. The rose 
and the violet are found side by side with the deadly 
nightshade. The poison ivy is found clasping to the 
death the flowering magnolia. 

The summer of 1831 was a harvest season in the 
Presbytery. God's presence was most sensibly felt, 
and his power most signally displayed. Thus it is re- 
corded, in the narrative of the state of religion sent 
up to Synod : " Many of our congregations, through the 
reviving power of the Holy Ghost, wear an aspect 
which has hitherto been new to them. The Lord has 
poured down upon them the influences of his Spirit, 
quickening his own people, and convincing and convert- 
ing the ungodly. The churches at Meadville, Erie, 
North East, Forks of French Creek, Fairview, Spring- 
field, Salem, and Warren, have been specially favored. 
These vines have produced fruit, some thirty, some 
sixty, some an hundred fold. Other churches have 
been quickened, and many sinners brought to inquire 
what they must do to be saved." 

" And while the Presbytery unite in blessing and 
adoring God, that through the special influences of the 
Holy Ghost near six hundred souls have been added to 
their churches within the last year, they would acknowl- 
edge their unfaithfulness, and implore the continuance 
of his kind regard and blessings." 

That year Meadville reported fifty-five ; Erie seventy- 



124 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

five ; North East, sixty-nine ; Fairview, twenty-seven ; 
Mr. Condit's charge, thirty ; Springfield, eighty-two ; 
Salem, Greenville, and Big Bend, forty-three ; Franklin 
and Big Sugar Creek, twenty-three; Middlebrook, 
Beaver Dam, and Union, twenty-seven. Warren and 
Brokenstraw, thirty -three. This was the largest report 
that was made by any Presbytery to the Synod that year. 
And it is doubtful whether, either before or since, there 
has been as great a number gathered into the churches, 
in one year, during the entire history of the Presbytery. 
So that the year 1831 may be considered the great 
harvest year in the history of the Presbytery. 

At the meeting in September, 1831, the question of 
baptism was brought to the notice of Presbytery. It was 
reported that one of the members had recently baptized 
fourteen or fifteen persons by immersion. After mature 
deliberation, Presbytery declared their " unanimous 
opinion that this practice is not in accordance with our 
standards, and is altogether inexpedient." * From the 
above date, Mr. Anderson gave half his pastoral labors 
to the congregation of Big Sugar Creek, and the re- 
maining half to Franklin. 

On the 26th of May, 1832, the church of Harbor 
Creek, in Erie County, was organized. It was a col- 
ony from the church of North East. 

On the 11th of April, 1832, Mr. Alden was dismissed 
to connect himself with the Presbytery of Cincinnati. 
He had been a member of the Presbytery sixteen years, 
and although at no time a pastor, yet he had done a 
noble work for the cause of education and Sabbath- 
schools. He had also performed a large amount of 
missionary work, and retired to another field with the 
respect and love of all his brethren. 

t i Min. iii. 46. 



HISTORY. 125 

On the 27th day of June, 1832, George "W. Harapson 
(43) was ordained and installed as pastor of the united 
conoreo-ations of Oil Creek and Concord. In these ser- 
vices Mr. Doolittle preached the sermon, Mr. Eaton 
delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Anderson 
the charge to the people. 

The year 1832, being the year in which the Asiatic 
cholera made its appearance in the United States, Pres- 
bytery sent down to the congregations the following 
recommendation : " In view of the threatening aspect 
of Divine Providence toward our guilty land, particu- 
larly that scourge of nations, the Asiatic cholera, which 
has already reached our country, Wednesday, the 11th 
of July, is recommended to be spent as a day of humili- 
ation and prayer." 1 

At the meeting of Presbytery June 28, 1832, notice was 
called to a sermon, published by Mr. Doolittle, upon the 
words " To every man according to his several ability." 
It was resolved to review this sermon at the next meet- 
ing of Presbytery. Accordingly, at the next meeting, 
the matter was brought up, and the following order 
fixed for the discussion : " Each member, in the order 
of the roll, shall have opportunity of stating what erro- 
neous doctrines, if any, are contained in the discourse. 
If errors are alleged, they shall be definitely stated, and 
the part of the discourse in which they are contained 
pointed out." After discussing the discourse at some 
length, a committee, consisting of Messrs. Eaton, Cham- 
berlain, and Elder John Lytle, was appointed to bring 
in a minute on the subject. The committee subse- 
quently reported that they could not agree, and were 
discharged. A motion was then made to postpone 
the matter indefinitely, which was carried by a majority 
of one. 

1 Min. iii. 59. 



126 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

" Coming events cast their shadows before." Here 
was the beginning of differences of opinion that ere long 
were to involve the Presbytery in trouble, and result in 
changes disastrous to the peace of Zion. 

At the same meeting, Mr. Doolittle, at his own re- 
quest, was released from the pastoral charge of the con- 
gregation of North East. This was on the 13th of 
September, 1832. On the 10th of April following, he 
was dismissed to the Presbytery of Portage. He had 
found a home at Hudson, Ohio, and thither he re- 
moved to enter upon a new field of lab jr. Both his 
friends and himself were afterward of opinion that he 
made a mistake in removing from North East. His 
labors had been abundantly blessed there ; he had many 
devoted friends there ; yet the path of duty to him 
seemed to lead elsewhere ; he was a man of decision, 
and for him to decide was to act. 

On the 12th day of September, 1832, Robert Glenn 
(44), was ordained and installed as pastor of the congre- 
gations of Mill Creek and Amity. In these services Mr. 
McCready preached the sermon, Mr. Tait delivered 
the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Hassinger the charge 
to the people. Mr. Glenn labored in these churches 
one third of his time in each ; the remaining third was 
given to Sandy Lake, although he was never installed 
there. The church of Sandy Lake was not really 
organized until October 3, 1835. Mr. Glenn preached 
for some time at the house of Theodore Bailey, and in 
the school-house in the vicinity. The house of wor- 
ship was not erected until 1846. 

On the 11th of April, 1833, Morgan D. Morgans was 
licensed to preach the gospel. Lie had been a preacher 
in Wales in some independent branch of the Church, 
and had given satisfaction as to his experimental 



HISTORY. 127 

acquaintance with religion, but had not received a lib- 
eral education. Against this action Synod entered its 
protest. Mr. Morgans did not prove an acceptable 
preacher, and being about to remove from the bounds, 
Presbytery recalled his license after he had preached 
one year. He subsequently engaged in teaching. 

On the 10th of April, 1833, Benjamin J. Wallace, 1 a 
licentiate of the Presbytery of Carlisle, was received 
under the care of Presbytery. 

On the 25th of June, 1833, Mr. Bushnell was released 
from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Mead- 
ville. The Western Foreign Missionary Society had 
been organized, having its centre of operations at Pitts- 
burgh ; and missionaries were called for to go to India, to 
Africa, and to our Western Indians. Mr. Bushnell's 
ardent missionary spirit impelled him to devote himself 
to the work, and after much thought and prayer he re- 
solved to offer himself as a missionary to the Indians. 
He was designated as a laborer amongst the Weas, in 
Missouri, but did not sunder his connection with the 
Presbytery. The result showed that he had overesti- 
mated his strength and endurance. After struggling for 
a year and a half, he resigned and returned to the bounds 
of the Presbytery of Indianapolis, to which he was dis- 
missed on the 3d of February, 1836, having been a 
member of the Presbytery ten years. 

On the 26th of June, 1833, James G. Wilson (49), 
was licensed to preach the gospel. During this year 

1 Son of William and Eleanor (McClay) Wallace; born in Erie, 
Pa., June 10, 1810. Cadet at West Point. Studied theology at 
Princeton ; licensed by Presbytery of Donegal. Ordained by Presby- 
tery of Muhlenburg; Professor of Languages in Newark College, Dela- 
ware. Editor Presbyterian Quarterly Review ; also of American Presby- 
terian. Died of neuralgia, July 25, 1862, in the fifty-third year of 
his age. — Wilson's Presbyterian Historical Almanac. 



128 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Mr. Hassinger was installed as pastor of the congrega- 
tions of Harmonsburg, Evansburg, and North Bank, 
in Crawford County. 

On the 11th of September, 1833, William A. Adair 
(46), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Hartford 
(Beaver), was received under the care of Presbytery, 
and accepted calls from the congregations of North 
East and Harbor Creek. On the 6th day of the fol- 
lowing November, he was ordained and installed as 
pastor of this charge. In these services Mr. Eaton 
preached the sermon, Mr. Anderson delivered the 
charge to the pastor, and Mr. Chamberlain to the 
people. At this meeting, John NcNair (45), a licenti- 
ate of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, was taken under 
the care of Presbytery and ordained with Mr. Adair, as 
an evangelist, with the view of laboring as a missionary 
in Warren County. 

On this occasion, Presbytery cordially endorsed the 
Western Foreign Missionary Society, and resolved to 
support one missionary in the foreign field. It was 
further resolved, that Mr. Bushnell be the missionary 
to be supported by Presbytery. After Mr. Bushnell 
returned from the field, Presbytery still resolved to con- 
tinue their support of a missionary. At this meeting, 
Wattsburg was reported and enrolled as an organized 
church. 

On the 25th of June, 1834, Mr. Alexander was 
released from the pastoral charge of Salem, Green- 
ville, and Big Bend. On the 9th day of the following 
month B. J. Wallace, licentiate, was dismissed, to place 
himself under the care of the Presbytery of Muhlen- 
burg ; and Mr. Adair released from the pastoral charge 
of the congregation of Harbor Creek. 

On the 25th of June in this year, a paper, called the 



HISTORY. 129 

" Act and Testimony," drawn up by a number of the 
members of the last General Assembly, was brought to 
the notice of Presbytery, a portion of it read, and com- 
mitted to a committee consisting of Messrs. Tait, Hamp- 
son, and Alexander Brown, elder, to report upon at the 
next meeting of Presbytery. 

At the meeting on the 9th of October following, the 
committee presented the following report : — 

" The circumstances of your committee being so dif- 
ferent as to location, and the various sources of informa- 
tion from those who framed the ' Act and Testimony,' 
they consider it inexpedient for them to express an 
opinion on the document, taken as a whole, but they 
freely acknowledge that a document, framed and signed 
by men of such known integrity and worth, and whose 
attachment to the standards and doctrines of our church 
is highly to be regarded, they would therefore recom- 
mend the following resolutions, namely : — 

" 1. That this Presbytery do solemnly protest against 
the conduct of any claiming the right to interpret the 
doctrines of our standards differently from the sense 
in which our church has always held them, or 
preaching or publishing Arminian or Pelagian errors, 
while they profess to adopt and approve our doctrine 
and order, and retain a standing in our church. 

" 2. That Presbytery solemnly protest against the 
following errors, namely, our relation to Adam, etc., 
etc. 

" 3. That we will not knowingly countenance such 
ministers, elders, editors, or teachers, who hold or propa- 
gate such errors as are referred to. 

" 4. That we protest against the erection of Presby- 
teries or Synods on the elective affinity plan, as a depar- 
ture from our form of government, and the usages of our 



130 PKESBTTERY OF ERIE. 

church, and also as opening a wide door for the spread 
of errors. 

" 5. That all the sessions under the care of this Pres- 
bytery take order, and express their opinion, on the said 
Act and Testimony." 

This report was adopted by the following vote : 
Samuel Tait, Johnston Eaton, Ira Condit, Peter Has- 
singer, James Alexander, G. W. Hampson, Robert 
Glenn, ministers ; and elders Alexander Brown, 
Robert Clark, John Melon, W. Beatty, S. Wade, Wash- 
ington Tait, and Robert Mann : yeas, 14. In the 
negative, Thomas Anderson and Pierce Chamberlain, 
ministers ; and elders John McCord, John Reynolds, 
George Reznor, and Lansing Wetmore, 6. Mr. Eaton 
and Elder Alexander Brown were appointed to attend 
the Convention called by the signers of the Act and 
Testimony at Pittsburgh, to take into consideration the 
state of the church. Here was another indication of 
the struggle that was coming upon the church. The 
low mutterings of the coming storm were becoming 
portentous, and all things were assuming the appearance 
of danger. 

On the 28th of January, 1835, Mr. Alexander was dis- 
missed to connect himself with the Presbytery of Ohio. 
On the following day, Mr. McCready was released from 
the pastoral charge of the congregations of Beaver 
Dam and Union, in Erie County, and advised to 
accept a call from that of Warren, Pa. On the 15th of 
April following, Mr. Adair accepted a call, for the whole 
of his time, from the congregation of North East. On 
the same day Rev. Nathaniel West (47), a foreign 
minister formerly connected with an independent 
church in Edinburgh, Scotland, presented a certificate 
of dismission from the Second Presbytery of Philadel- 



HISTORY. 131 

phia, showing that he had been taken on trial as a 
foreign minister. Mr. West was accordingly received 
on further trials as a foreign minister. 

The narrative of the state of religion, that is re- 
corded during the year 1834-35, does not indicate that 
there was much of the spirit of revival in the Pres- 
bytery. Good attendance is reported, as being paid to 
catechetical instruction and Sunday-school effort ; but 
no general revivals of religion. 

At a former meeting the Presbytery had resolved to 
support Mr. Bushnell as their missionary in the foreign 
field, and now as Mr. Bushnell had retired from the 
work on account of feeble health, it was resolved still 
to continue the aid of Presbytery to the Western For- 
eign Missionary Society. 

At the October meeting of Presbytery, it was " Re- 
solved, That the members of this Presbytery give their 
efficient aid in circulating and procuring signatures to 
petitions to the next session of Congress to abolish 
slavery in the District of Columbia." 1 

On the 19 th of April, 1836, Mr. Hassinger was 
released from the pastoral charge of the congregations of 
Evansburg, Harmonsburg, and North Bank. At the 
same time, the organization of the churches of Conneaut- 
ville and Sandy Lake was reported. At this meeting 
the approval by Synod of the action of Presbytery in 
receiving Mr. West as a member of Presbytery, was re- 
ported, and Mr. West's name was placed upon the roll. 

Mr. McNair (45) was, on the 20th of April, dismissed 
to connect himself with the Presbytery of Yincennes. 
On the 11th of May, 1836, Mr. West was installed as 
pastor of the congregation of Meadville. On the fol- 
lowing day Rev. Simeon Peck (48) was received on 

i Min. iii. 122. 



132 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

certificate from the Presbytery of Buffalo. At the 
same time Presbytery approved the reorganization of 
the church of Warren, Pa. 

On the 15th of September, of the same year, Mr. Has- 
singer was dismissed to the Presbytery of Washing- 
ton. At this meeting Mr. Chamberlain was installed 
as pastor of the congregations of Waterford and Union. 
On the 12th day of October, 1836, James G. Wilson (49), 
was ordained and installed as pastor of the congrega- 
tions of Greenville and Salem. In these services, Mr. 
Anderson preached the sermon, Mr. Tait delivered the 
charge to the pastor, and Mr. West the charge to the 
people. At the same time the name of the church at 
Elk Creek, in Erie County, was changed to Girard. 

The report of a convention of elders at Meadville 
having been laid before Presbytery, was approved, and 
the object commended. The convention seems to have 
been composed of elders from Crawford County, and 
its object to have been to devise means to promote the 
spiritual interests of the people of that county. 

On the 3d day of February, 1836, Mr. Bushnell was 
dismissed to the Presbytery of Indianapolis. On the 
11th day of January, 1837, Robinson S. Lockwood 
(50), a licentiate recently received from the Presbytery 
of St. Lawrence, was ordained and installed as pastor 
of the congregation of Girard. In these services Mr. 
West preached the sermon, Mr. Eaton delivered the 
charge to the pastor, and Mr. Lyon the charge to the 
people. 

The matter of slavery was again noticed, by the adop- 
tion of the following resolutions : — 

" 1. That it is the duty of the ministers of this Pres- 
bytery to preach against the sin of slave-holding. 

" 2. That it be earnestly recommended to each of the 



HISTORY. 133 

churches under our care, to address a memorial to the 
next General Assembly, imploring that body to use all 
its influence for the expulsion of slavery from our 
church." x 

The organization of the churches of McKean and 
Cherrytree, was reported April 11, 1837. On the fol- 
lowing day Reuben Lewis (51), a licentiate of the Pres- 
bytery of Blairsville, was received under the care of 
Presbytery ; and on the same day Mr. McCready was 
installed as pastor of the congregation of Warren ; Mr. 
Hampson was also released from the pastoral charge of 
the congregation of Concord in Yenango County, and 
was permitted to labor for two thirds of his time at Oil 
Creek. 

At this meeting it was resolved, that for members 
of the church to sign petitions for the licensing of tav- 
erns, is wrong, and subjects them to the censure of the 
church. 

On the 12th day of September, 1837, Mr. Anderson 
was released from the pastoral care of the congrega- 
tion of Franklin, Pa., and on the 1st of November fol- 
lowing Reuben Lewis (51), a licentiate, who had been 
received the previous year from the Presbytery of 
Blairsville, was ordained, and installed as pastor of the 
congregation of Harbor Creek. In these services, Mr. 
Lyon preached the sermon, Mr. Adair delivered the 
charge to the pastor, and Mr. Hampson the charge to 
the people. 

On the 11th of April, 1838, Rev. Wells Bushnell 
(35), who had formerly been a member of Presbytery, 
was received from the Presbytery of Indianapolis, and 
on the following day, Rev. William Fuller (52) and 
Rev. Charles Danforth (53) were received from the 

1 Min. iii. 146. 



134 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Presbytery of Grand River. On the next day Mr. 
Adair was released from the pastoral charge of the 
congregation of North East. On the same day John 
Van Liew Reynolds (56) was licensed to preach the 
gospel. On the 26th day of June following, Mr. West 
was released from the pastoral charge of the congrega- 
tion of Meadville. 

This chapter closes with dark forebodings of trouble. 
Clouds had been gathering that foretokened a storm of 
greater magnitude than any that had yet swept over the 
church. Differences had sprung up that could not be 
reconciled. In many cases these differences were 
really serious and important ; in some perhaps wholly 
imaginary. But the brethren were divided either in 
sentiment or in heart, or in both, and the consequences 
were most lamentable. The hearts of good men on 
either side were ready to fail them for fear; for schism 
if not open revolution seemed unavoidable; and the 
church, that had for so many years been expanding and 
prospering and overshadowing the land with its blessed 
influences, bid fair to be shorn of its splendor, and 
weakened in its influence. 



CHAPTER V. 

THE GREAT DIVISION. 

1837-1838. 

The shock came at last. The storm burst forth 
in its fury, leaving for a time little but desolation 
in its path : alienated hearts, sundered ties, riven 
churches, and the exultation of the foes of Zion. The 
General Assembly of 1837 had passed resolutions 
declaring certain Synods no longer portions of the 
Presbyterian Church, and dissolving the Third Pres- 
bytery of Philadelphia. With reference to this action, 
at a meeting of Presbytery held September 12, 1837, 
the following resolution was passed by a majority of 
one : " Resolved, That in the opinion of this Presby- 
tery, the act of the late General Assembly, which dis- 
solved the Third Presbytery of Philadelphia without 
previous citation or notice, was unconstitutional, and 
therefore null and void." 1 Yeas, 13. Nays, 12. 
This was followed by another resolution, — 
" Resolved, That in the opinion of this Presbytery 
the act of the late General Assembly, by which the four 
Synods of Utica, Geneva, Genesee, and Western Reserve 
were declared to be no longer a part of the Presbyterian 
Church in the United States of America, without previ- 
ous citation or notice, is unconstitutional, and therefore 

1 Min. iii. 158. 



136 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

null and void." This resolution was also decided in the 
affirmative, by a vote of fifteen to ten. The ayes and 
nays were as follows : Ayes : Ministers, Amos Chase, 
Thomas Anderson, Robinson S. Lockwood, Edson Hart, 
George W. Hampson, George A. Lyon, and William A. 
Adair, with elders Andrew Bowman, D. H. Chapman, 
William Miller, S. Heimbaugh, T. Reid, J. Kinkead, 
George Kellogg, and Samuel Kingsbury — 15. 

Noes : Ministers, Samuel Tait, Johnston Eaton, Ab- 
salom McCready, and James G. Wilson, with elders 
John Hackney, Eliab Axtell, James Jagger, William 
White, James McCracken, and Homer Bailey — 10. 1 

After the recess the following complaint and appeal 
was offered by Mr. Tait in behalf of himself and oth- 
ers, and directed to be entered on the minutes : — 

" Warren, (Pa.), September 13, 1837. 

" We, the undersigned members of the Presbytery of 
Erie, protest against the decisions of this Presbytery in 
declaring the acts of the General Assembly unconstitu- 
tional, null, and void, which dissolved the Third Presby- 
tery of Philadelphia, and declared the Synods of the 
Western Reserve, Genesee, Utica, and Geneva no 
longer a part of the Presbyterian Church, for the fol- 
lowing reasons, namely — 

u 1st. Although we admit that Presbyteries have a 
right to complain, and petition our higher courts for re- 
dress of supposed grievances, yet for a Presbytery to 
declare the acts of our General Assembly null and 
void, we deem unconstitutional and disorderly. 

" 2d. We believe that these acts of the General As- 
sembly were the only means left to correct the evils, 
and restore peace and purity to our church. 

l Min. iii. 159, 160. 



HISTORY. 137 

" 3d. We believe the General Assembly, acting in a 
legislative capacity, had a right to repeal its own acts." * 

This complaint was signed by Samuel Tait, John- 
ston Eaton, Absalom McCready, and James G. Wil- 
son, ministers : and by John McCracken, James Jagger, 
John Hackney, and Homer Bailey, elders. 

In regard to these resolutions the Synod of Pitts- 
burgh, in reviewing the Records of Presbytery, took the 
following exception : 

" The resolutions recorded on the pages 158 and 159 
of the Records, whereby the acts of the last General 
Assembly, in reference to the Third Presbytery of Phila- 
delphia, and the Synods of Western Reserve, Utica, 
Geneva, and Genesee are declared to be unconstitu- 
tional, null, and void, are, in the judgment of Synod, 
incorrect, as to matter of fact. 

CHARLES C BEATTY, Moderator." 
Pittsburgh, October 25, 1837. 

This was the state of affairs, when the Presbytery 
met at Meadville, Pa., on the 26th day of June, 1838. 
There were present at this meeting, the following 
members : Ministers, Samuel Tait, Amos Chase, John- 
ston Eaton, Bradford Marcy, Pierce Chamberlain, 
Wells Bushnell, Absalom McCready, Thomas Ander- 
son, Nathaniel West, George A. Lyon, George W. 
Hampson, Robert Glenn, William Fuller, Charles Dan- 
forth, James G. Wilson, Robinson S. Lockwood, and 
Reuben Lewis. Elders : Alexander Brown, George G. 
Foster, John Reynolds, George Reed, James McClan- 
ahan, Cyrus Mansfield, Moses Logan, James Gilleland, 
Noah Town, Robert Stockton, David Brackenridge, 
John C. Robinson, John Wilson, John Hackney, Cal- 
vin Martin, James Campbell, D. H. Chapman, Pros- 
1 Min. iii. 160, 161. 



138 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

per A. Booth, James Smedley, George Kellogg, Sam- 
uel Kingsbury, Francis Gray, John Carson, John N. 
Miller, J. Fritz, John McCracken, and Ninian Irwin. 

It was known that the late General Assembly had di- 
vided, and that the Commissioners from this Presbytery, 
Rev. Pierce Chamberlain and Elder George Kellogg, 
had given in their adherence to the Assembly known 
popularly as " The Other Branch," and had identified 
themselves with it; and the consideration of this matter 
was to be the great question before the Presbytery. 

Soon after the organization of Presbytery, the fol- 
lowing preamble and resolution were offered by Mr. 
McCready : " Whereas, it is a time of great conflict, 
corruption, and difficulty in the Presbyterian Church in 
the United States and whereas the General Assemblies 
of 1837 and 1838 have entered upon reform measures, 
agreeably to our standards, to promote the peace, purity, 
and orthodoxy of said church, which have hitherto 
proved successful ; and whereas, they enjoin it upon 
all the Presbyteries under their care to pursue the 
same measures of reform, in all their boundaries ; and 
whereas it is publicly reported that Pierce Chamberlain 
and George Kellogg, our delegates to the last Assem- 
bly, after giving in their commissions to the Assembly, 
did absent themselves from the true Assembly, and 
associate themselves with a number unknown to the 
General Assembly to form a new Assembly, and are offi- 
cially reported as being absent from the true Assembly 
without cause : Therefore — 

" Resolved, That the roll be now called to take proper 
order in regard to the Commissioners for neglect of 
duty according to the resolution of the last Assembly ; 
and also that the members of this Presbytery be now 
called, individually, to sustain the reform measures of 



HISTORY. 139 

the General Assemblies of 1837 and 1838 ; and that 
the answers be given yea or nay." x 

The consideration of this paper was made the order 
of the day for the next morning. 

The next morning " The order of the day was taken 
up, and after some discussion was postponed for the pur- 
pose of hearing the report of our Commissioners to the 
General Assembly, who being called upon informed 
Presbytery that they gave in their commissions to the 
General Assembly, but that before the roll was com- 
pleted they united with a number of ministers and el- 
ders, in organizing another body, calling itself the Gen- 
eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United 
States, and which our Commissioners acknowledged as 
the lawful General Assembly ; after which they with- 
drew : whereupon, it was moved that their conduct be 
approved. 

" And while this motion was under discussion, a post- 
ponement of it was moved, for the purpose of taking up 
a resolution, the object of which was to refer the whole 
matter to Synod. During the pending of these mo- 
tions, the whole subject of the constitutionality of the 
two Assemblies was fully discussed; after which the 
motion of postponement was taken by calling the roll." 2 

The following was the result of the vote : Amos 
Chase, Bradford Marcy, Nathaniel West, Pierce Cham- 
berlain, Thomas Anderson, George A. Lyon, George 
W. Hampson, Robinson S. Lockwood, William Fuller, 
and Charles Danforth, ministers, with John Reynolds, 
James McClanahan, Cyrus Mansfield, Noah Town, Rob- 
ert Stockton, David Brackenridge, John Wilson, Calvin 
Martin, James Campbell, David H. Chapman, James 
Smedley, George Kellogg, Samuel Kingsbury, Francis 

1 Min. iv. 21-23. 2 Min. iv. 24, 25. 



140 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Gray, John Carson, J. N. Miller, J. Fritz, and Ninian 
Irwin, elders, voted in the affirmative, being ten minis- 
ters and eighteen elders — twenty-eight in all. 

In the negative there were seven ministers, namely, 
Samuel Tait, Johnston Eaton, Wells Bushnell, Absalom 
McCready, Robert Glenn, James G. Wilson, and Reu- 
ben Lewis, with nine elders, namely, George Reed, 
Moses Logan, James Gilleland, George G. Foster, Al- 
exander Brown, John McCracken, John C. Robinson, 
Prosper A. Booth, and John Hackney, sixteen in all. 1 

It will be seen that the actual vote was not on the 
merits of the case, but on the reference of the whole 
matter to Synod. It is also obvious, however, that the 
majority of Presbytery were in opposition to the re- 
form measures of the late General Assembly. The 
minority, seeing that there was now no other resource, 
quietly withdrew to another house, and continued the 
business of Presbytery, according to the order of the 
General Assembly adapted to circumstances like the 
present. This order is in the following words : " In case 
the majority of any Presbytery shall refuse or neglect 
to take proper order in regard to its seceding Commis- 
sioners, or shall approve their conduct, or adhere to 
the new sect they have created, or shall decline, or fail to 
adhere to the Presbyterian Church in the United States 
of America, upon the basis of 1837 and 1838, for the 
reform of the Church, then, and in that case, the minor- 
ity of said Presbytery shall be held and considered to 
be the true Presbytery, and shall continue the succes- 
sion of the Presbytery by its name and style, and from 
the rendition of the erroneous and schismatical decision, 
which is the test in the case, be the Presbytery ; and if 
sufficiently numerous to perform Presbyterial acts, shall 

i Min. iv. 25, 26. 



HISTORY. 141 

go forward with all the proper acts and functions of the 
Presbytery." 1 

The Moderator and Stated Clerk being among the 
minority, the Presbytery was already organized, and 
lacked but a temporary clerk to proceed with its regu- 
lar business. The Records of Presbytery also re- 
mained in the keeping of the minority. 

Two ruling elders, David Brackenridge and Robert 
Stockton, who had voted with the majority, appeared 
before Presbytery and declared their approval of the 
reform measures of the General Assembly, and re- 
quested seats in Presbytery, which request was granted. 
The conduct of the Commissioners to the General As- 
sembly was then formally disapproved. 

At the next meeting of the Synod of Pittsburgh, 
several members of the majority of Presbytery ap- 
peared and claimed seats. Those who thus claimed 
seats, were : ministers George W. Hampson, Nathaniel 
West, and William A. Adair ; elders John McCord 
and Samuel Kingsbury. Synod refused to admit them 
to seats, and their case was referred to a committee con- 
sisting of Rev. Drs. David Elliott and Charles C. 
Beatty, and Rev. T. D. Baird, to consider and report 
thereon. These brethren were fully heard in regard to 
their claim. The committee reported adversely to their 
claim, which report was adopted. A protest against the 
decision of the Synod was presented, signed by Rev. 
David H. Riddle, D. D., Rev. Aaron Williams, and 
elders John Herron, Richard Edwards, John Wright, 
and Matthew F. Champlin. A committee consisting of 
Dr. Elliott, Rev. William Jeffrey, and Rev. James Her- 
vey, was appointed to answer the protest. This com- 
mittee presented a long paper, which was adopted, as 
the answer of Synod. 

1 Baird's Digest, 758. 



142 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

The other branch of the Presbytery of Erie has en- 
joyed a good degree of prosperity. After occupying 
the same territory substantially as before the division, 
for a few years, their Presbytery was divided by an act 
of the Synod of Pennsylvania into two Presbyteries. 
This division was ordered on the 25th of October, 1842. 
All the ministers and churches within the County of 
Erie, were to be considered as the Presbytery of Erie, 
and all the ministers and churches outside the County 
of Erie were to be constituted into a Presbytery, to be 
called the Presbytery of Meadville. This new Pres- 
bytery of Meadville consisted of six ministers, four 
of whom had been members of the old Presbytery of 
Erie. 

These two Presbyteries, together with one that had 
been organized in the region of Pittsburgh, and called 
Pittsburgh, constituted the Synod of Western Penn- 
sylvania. 



CHAPTER VI. 

FROM THE GREAT DIVISION TO THE PRESENT. 

1838-1867. 

The storm had come and gone. The noise and the 
strife were over. But the consequences remained. 
The first meeting of the Presbytery was a sad and pain- 
ful one. The officers and the records were there, but 
brethren beloved and respected were absent. Those 
present looked around to see who were present and who 
were absent. It was like the meeting of ^Eneas and 
his comrades after the storm that Juno's wrath had 
excited ; counting the ships that were safe, and lament- 
ing over those that had been stranded on the great 
deep. Here were fast friends for years, separated for- 
ever upon earth. Brethren who had taken sweet coun- 
sel together, and walked to the house of God in com- 
pany, who had labored and wept and prayed together, 
and whose sympathies had been in common for nearly 
a lifetime, were to meet no more together. Henceforth 
they were to pass at life's meeting-places, like ships 
upon the ocean, with nought but the ordinary signal of 
recognition, bringing up the love and esteem many of 
them felt for each other in the secret chambers of their 
own hearts. 

But like JEneas of old in another respect, they 
girded themselves for new labors and new perils. With 
sad thoughts at the division of the Presbytery, and sep- 



144 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

aration from cherished brethren, they prepared to gath- 
er up the fragments of what remained, and go forward 
with the labor and the toil as best they might. New 
churches must be organized as new fields were explored. 
Divisions must be expected in churches already estab- 
lished. The evil consequences of these divisions must 
be met, and the injury to Zion must, as far as possible, 
be repaired. 

And so they went on, the two divisions ; two Presby- 
teries, bearing the same name, occupying substantially 
the same territory, and to all intents and purposes one 
in design and one in faith and polity, yet separate in 
organization and in feeling ; and yet withal striving to 
do their own appropriate work, not walking together, 
nor talking together, yet dealing only in charity, and 
feeling, if not expressing, confidence in each other's 
piety and zeal in the Master's cause. It was Paul and 
Barnabas, contending so sharply that they had " de- 
parted asunder one from the other," yet both striving to 
do the Lord's work. 

The vote recorded in the preceding chapter shows 
the relative numbers of the two Presbyteries. The 
minority, that now constituted the Presbytery called 
by way of distinction " Old School," consisted of Sam- 
uel Tait, Johnston Eaton, Wells Bushnell, Absalom 
McCready, Robert Glenn, James G. Wilson, Simeon 
Peck, and Reuben Lewis. 

Of the congregations, some remained entire with one 
division and some with another, whilst some were di- 
vided. In many cases these divisions were most disas- 
trous to the congregations, weakening and disheartening 
them and rendering them unable to support the gospel. 
Of those remaining entire, with the Old School 
branch, were Fairview, Fairfield, Georgetown, Cool 



HISTORY. 145 

Spring, Franklin, Big Sugar Creek, Mill Creek, Har- 
monsburg, Evansburg, Salem, Greenville, Sugar Grove, 
Concord, Deerfield, Warren, Amity, Irvine, and Big 
Bend. Of those remaining entire with the other 
branch, were Erie, North East, Springfield, Girard, 
Middlebrook. Beaver Dam, Union, McKean, Center- 
ville, Oil Creek, Pine Grove, Cherrytree, Randolph. 
Of those divided were, Meadville, Mercer, Harbor 
Creek, Washington, Gravel Run. 

In the division of Presbytery, there was no property 
held by the Presbytery directly that was calculated to 
bring the constitutionality of either body before the 
civil courts ; so that happily, for the present, the au- 
thority of Csesar was not invoked, and each branch 
pursued its own course in comparative peace and quiet- 
ness. There was not much sociability between the 
members of the different Presbyteries, who had once 
been on the kindest terms of fellowship, yet there was 
nothing like warfare. They agreed to differ, and whilst 
in their hearts they respected and loved each other, 
there was no demonstration of this feeling — it was 
buried up amongst the sacred things of the past. 

On the 27th of June, 1838, Mr. McCready was re- 
leased from the pastoral charge of the congregation of 
Warren, Pa., and on the same day, David Waggoner 
(54), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Ohio, was received 
under the care of Presbytery, and accepted calls from 
the congregations of Georgetown and Fairfield. 

On the 28th of the same month, William McMichael x 
was licensed to preach the gospel. 

On the 11th of July following, Daniel Waggoner 
was ordained and installed as pastor of the churches of 

1 Transferred to the Presbytery of Clarion. Pastor of the churches 
of Richland and Rockland, in Venango County, Pa. 
10 



146 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Georgetown and Fairfield, dividing his time equally be- 
tween them. In these services Mr. Bushnell preached 
the sermon, Mr. McCready delivered the charge to the 
pastor, and Mr. Glenn the charge to the people. 

On the 17th of April, 1839, Eev. Daniel Washburn 

(55) was received on certificate from the Presbytery 
of Beaver, and Rev. Wells Bushnell dismissed to the 
Presb}'tery of Beaver. 

At this time a committee was appointed to report 
what action should be taken in regard to persons with- 
drawing themselves from the churches to connect with 
churches of the other branch. This committee reported 
recommending that when such withdrawals are ascer- 
tained, a simple record be made of the fact in the 
sessional records, and no further action be taken. 

On the 14th of October, 1839, Mr. McCready was 
installed as pastor of the church of Neshannock, which 
had been set over from the Presbytery of Beaver. On 
the same day, Mr. Peck was dismissed to the Presby- 
tery of Philadelphia, and Edmund McKinney (57), a 
licentiate of the Presbytery of Carlisle, received under 
the care of Presbytery. 

On the 15th of October of this year, Cyrus Dickson 
(58) was licensed to preach the gospel. 

On the 13th of November, John Van Liew Reynolds 

(56) was ordained and installed as pastor of the con- 
gregation of Meadville, and at the same time Edmund 
McKinney was ordained as an evangelist. In these 
services Mr. McCready preached the sermon, Mr. 
Tait delivered the charge to the ministers, and Mr. 
Eaton delivered the charge to the congregation. 

On the 24th of June, 1840, Cyrus Dickson was or- 
dained and installed as pastor of the congregations of 
Franklin and Sugar Creek, half his time at each. In 



HISTORY. 147 

these services, Mr. Eaton preached the sermon, Mr. 
McCready gave the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Wil- 
son the charge to the congregation. 

On the 9th of September following, Mr. Lewis was 
dismissed to the Presbytery of Ohio. On the 27th of 
January, 1841, Edward S. Blake (59), a licentiate of 
the Presbytery of Ohio, was received under the care 
of Presbytery, and on the 14th of April following, 
ordained and installed as pastor of the churches of 
Gravel Run and Evansburg. In these services, Mr. 
Waggoner preached, Mr. Eaton delivered the charge 
to the pastor, and Mr. McCready the charge to the 
people. On the same day Joseph T. Smith (61) was 
licensed to preach the gospel. 

On the 14th of June, 1841, Rev. Hiram Eddy (60), 
of the Congregational Association of Western New 
York, was received as a member of Presbytery. On 
the 15th of September following, Daniel Washburn and 
Edmund Mc Kinney were dismissed from Presbytery, 
the former to the Presbytery of Wooster, and the latter 
to Carlisle. Mr. Blake was also released from the 
pastoral charge of the congregations of Gravel Run 
and Evansburg, on account of feeble health. 

About this time a zealous effort was made by Presby- 
tery to seek out and encourage pious and hopeful young 
men to turn their attention to the gospel ministry. It 
was made the direct duty of each member of Presby- 
tery to give attention to this matter ; although the re- 
sult does not seem to have been encouraging. 

The matter of missionary effort within its own 
bounds was during this year pressed upon the churches. 
In January, 1842, Presbytery resolved to sustain a mis- 
sionary in its vacant churches. 

At the same meeting the churches were all enjoined 



148 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

to unite in memorializing Congress for the better ob- 
servance of the Sabbath. 

On the 19th of April, William McMichael, a licentiate 
under our care, was dismissed to put himself under the 
care of the Presbytery of Clarion. On the following 
day, Joseph T. Smith was ordained and installed as 
pastor of the congregation of Mercer. In these services 
Mr. Reynolds preached the sermon, Mr. Dickson de- 
livered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Waggoner the 
charge to the people. In this congregation Mr. Smith 
had been born and raised, all his associations were con- 
nected with it, and his father was a member of the ses- 
sion. On the same day Mr. Wilson was released from 
the pastoral charge of the congregation of Greenville. 

Sometime during the month of May of this year, the 
church of Mount Pleasant was organized. On the 28th 
of June, James Coulter (62), a licentiate of the Pres- 
bytery of Alleghany, and Henry Webber (63), a licen- 
tiate of the Presbytery of Elizabethtown, were received 
under the care of Presbytery. On the 14th of Septem- 
ber following, Mr. Coulter was ordained and installed 
as pastor of the congregations of Concord and Deer- 
field ; at the former, one half his time, and at the latter, 
one fourth, leaving a remaining fourth for missionary 
labor. In these services Mr. Reynolds preached, Mr. 
Dickson delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. 
Waggoner the charge to the people. On the same day, 
Alexander Cunningham (65) was licensed to preach 
the gospel. On the next day, John H. Townley, 1 a 
licentiate under the care of the Presbytery of Eliza- 
bethtown, was received under the care of Presbytery. 

On the 20th of January, 1843, Henry Webber was 
ordained and installed as pastor of the church of Green- 

1 Returned soon after to New Jersey. Pastor of the church of 
Hacketstown, N. J. Since deceased. 



HISTORY. 149 

ville. Mr. Glenn preached on the occasion, Mr. Rey- 
nolds delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Dick- 
son the charge to the people. The name of the church 
of Big Bend was stricken from the roll, the church 
having become extinct. Mr. Hart was dismissed to 
the Presbytery of Muhlenburg. On the 9tli of Au- 
gust, James W. Dickey (64), a licentiate of the Second 
Presbytery of Philadelphia, was received under the 
care of Presbytery. In September of this year, Mr. 
Wilson was installed as pastor of the church of Cool 
Spring. On the 4th day of October, Mr. Dickey was 
ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations 
of Conneautville, Harmonsburg, and Evansburg. Mr. 
Dickson preached the sermon, Mr. Coulter delivered 
the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Waggoner the charge 
to the people. On the same day, John Limber (66) 
was licensed to preach the gospel. 

On the 5th day of October, Mr. Cunningham was or- 
dained and installed as pastor of the congregations of 
Gravel Run and Washington. Mr. Reynolds preached 
the sermon, Mr. Smith delivered the charge to the pas- 
tor, and Mr. Wilson the charge to the people. At the 
same time Lemuel G. Olmstead (73), a licentiate of the 
Presbytery of Beaver, was received under the care of 
Presbytery. In April of this year the church of Irvine 
was organized. 

In April, 1844, Presbytery petitioned the General 
Assembly to devise some means to purge the church 
of "the enormous evil of slavery." On the 16th of 
October, of the same year, John Limber was ordained 
as an evangelist, with the view of laboring amongst the 
Indians. On the 22d of January, 1845, Mr. Webber 
was dismissed to connect himself with the Presbytery 
of Beaver. On the 12th of February following, an 



150 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

overture was sent to the Presbytery of Meadville, of the 
other branch, with reference to a union of the Presby- 
teries. This overture was replied to by the Presbytery 
of Meadville, in a kind and conciliatory manner, ex- 
pressing a wish for reunion, yet expressing doubts 
whether the time had fully come for such reunion. 
They also suggested that the practice of some of the 
results of union should be first brought to bear, such as 
inter-communion, exchange of pulpits, and other mutual 
labors. This reply is noticed on the minutes, with the 
recommendation that the suggestions in it be carried 
out, that ministers and members use their discretion in 
regard to occasional inter-communion. 

On the 26th of August, Mr. Eddy was dismissed to 
the Presbytery of Buffalo City. At this meeting the 
organization of the church of Sturgeonville was re- 
ported, as a colony from the church of Fairview. On 
the 22d of October, John M. Smith (67), of the Pres- 
bytery of Ohio, and Alexander Boyd (68), formerly a 
minister in the Associate Reformed Church, were re- 
ceived as members of Presbytery, and at the same time 
an elaborate paper was passed on the subject of slavery, 
bearing its testimony against slavery, dissenting against 
the fanaticism of men, North and South, in their war 
against the church of God, hoping for the time when 
this great evil shall be removed from the country, and 
declaring themselves free from all participation in the 
crime of oppression. 

Mr. Dickson was permitted to give the whole of his 
labors to the congregation of Franklin, and Sugar 
Creek was declared vacant. At the same time Mr. 
Boyd was dismissed to the Presbytery of Steubenville. 

During the year 1846, there were not many changes 
in the Presbytery. Peace and quietness reigned, and 



HISTORY. 151 

prosperity prevailed, although there was no special out- 
pouring of the Holy Spirit. On the 28th of January, 
Mr. Smith was installed as pastor of the church of 
Warren; and on the same day Miles T. Merwin (69), 
a licentiate of the Presbytery of New York, was re- 
ceived under the care of Presbytery, and on the 24th 
of June ordained and installed as pastor of the church 
of Irvine. On the 2 2d of April Mr. Coulter was re- 
leased from the charge of the congregations of Concord 
and Deerfield. On the same day Rev. John Matthews 
(22), who had formerly been a member of Presbytery, 
was received from the Presbytery of Coshocton. On 
the 26th of August, Mr. Dickey was released from the 
pastoral charge of the congregations of Harmonsburg 
and Conneautville, and at the following meeting, from 
that of Evansburg ; and on the 28th day of October, 
John F. Kean, 1 a licentiate of the Presbytery of Blairs- 
ville, was received under the care of Presbytery. 

During the year 1847 two ministers were received 
into the Presbytery, one was dismissed, and one re- 
moved by death. On the 23d of June, Mr. Matthews 
was dismissed to the Presbytery of Saint Louis, and on 
the same day, John K. Cornyn (70), a licentiate of the 
Presbytery of Alleghany, was received under the care 
of Presbytery, and on the 10th of August ordained and 
installed as pastor of the churches of Girard, Sturgeon- 
ville, and Harbor Creek. 

On the 17th day of June, Johnston Eaton (20), the 
oldest minister then on the roll, departed this life. He 
had been for forty years and upward pastor of the 
church of Fairview, and had spent the whole of his 
ministerial life in the pastoral relation to that church. 

1 Born in Westmoreland County, Pa. Graduated at Jefferson Col- 
lege and Western Theological Seminary. Died December 20, 1846. 



152 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

On the 10th day of August, Mr. Dickey was dis- 
missed to the Presbytery of Richland, and on the same 
day Mr. Smith was released from the pastoral charge 
of the congregation of Warren ; and on the 27th day 
of October, Lewis W. Williams (71) was received from 
the Presbytery of Blairsville. 

There were more changes in the year 1848. On the 
15th of March Mr. Smith was dismissed to the Presby- 
tery of Muhlenburg, and on the next day Samuel J. M. 
Eaton (76) was licensed to preach the gospel, and 
Lemuel P. Bates (72) received from the Presbytery of 
Michigan. Mr. Dickson was also released from the 
pastoral charge of the congregation of Franklin, and 
dismissed to the Presbytery of Washington. On the 
20th of April Mr. Olmstead was ordained as an evan- 
gelist, and on the 28th of June Charles V. Struve (74), 
a minister of the Baptist Church, was received as a 
member of Presbytery. On the 25th of October, James 
H. Callen (75), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Wash- 
ington, was received under the care of Presbytery; 
and on the same day Mr. Coulter was installed as pas- 
tor of the congregation of Sugar Creek, and Mr. Mer- 
win dismissed to the Presbytery of Huntington. 

In the year 1849, there was one death in the ministry 
of the Presbytery, — that of Mr. Struve, that occurred 
at St. Louis in October. One ordination, that of S. J. 
M. Eaton (76), as pastor of the churches of Franklin 
and Mount Pleasant, February 7. On the 18th of 
April, Mr. J. T. Smith was released from the pastoral 
charge of the congregation of Mercer, and dismissed to 
the Presbytery of Baltimore. On the 26th of June, 
Mr. Williams was dismissed to the Presbytery of Hun- 
tington, and Mr. John M. Smith to the Presbytery of 
Ohio. On the same day, Nathaniel M. Crane (77) was 



HISTORY. 153 

received from the Presbytery of Buffalo. Mr. Crane 
had been a missionary to India, under the auspices of 
the American Board, and had done most excellent ser- 
vice in that benighted land. Enervated and enfeebled 
by the climate, he had returned to spend such days as 
God might give him in preaching the gospel. Of a 
meek and quiet and lovely disposition, he seemed, like 
the evangelist John, to be always leaning upon the Mas- 
ter's bosom, and reflecting the quiet expression of his 
countenance in his daily life. 

During the year 1850, the Presbytery held its own in 
point of numbers. On the 18th of June, Michael A. 
Parkinson (78), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Ohio, 
was received under the care of Presbytery, and on the 
11th of September, ordained and installed as pastor of 
the congregations of Concord and Deerfield, the former 
in Venango, and the latter in Warren County, Pa. On 
the same day, John Sailor (79) was received from the 
Presbytery of Pennsylvania, of the other branch. On 
the 3d of April, Mr. Glenn was released from the pas- 
toral charge of the congregation of Amity, and on the 
next day, Mr. Cornyn was released from his charge of 
Girard, Sturgeon ville, and Harbor Creek. On the 19th 
of June, Mr. Glenn was installed as pastor of Sugar 
Creek for half his time. On the 11th of September, 
Mr. Bates was dismissed to the Presbytery of Michigan, 
from which he had been originally received, and on the 
same day, Mr. Wilson was released from the pastoral , 
charge of Cool Spring and Salem, and dismissed to the 
Presbytery of Iowa. 

In 1851, one minister was dismissed from the Presby- 
tery — Mr. Cornyn, to the Presbytery of Wyoming, 
April 9 ; and one received. This was Robert S. Morton 
(80), who was received from the Presbytery of Beaver, 



151 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

June 10, and installed pastor of the church of Mercer 
on the 10th of September. 

On the 10th of April, George Wright Zahniser (84). 
was licensed to preach the gospel ; and on the same day 
William Willson (81), a licentiate of the Presbytery of 
Ohio, was received under the care of Presbytery ; and 
Alexander Cunningham released from the pastoral 
charge of the congregation of Washington. On the next 
day, Mr. Willson was ordained and installed as pastor of 
the congregations of Girard, Sturgeonville, and Fairview. 

The year 1852 presents few changes. On the 14th 
of April James Young 1 was licensed to preach the 
gospel. Mr. Cunningham was released from the pas- 
toral charge of Gravel Run, and dismissed to the Pres- 
bytery of Alleghany. On the 22d of June, Mr. Callen 
was released from the pastoral charge of Greenville, and 
John Wesley McCune (82), a licentiate under the care 
of the Presbytery of Carlisle, was received and ordained 
and installed as pastor of the congregations of Cool 
Spring and Sandy Lake. Mr. Coulter was installed as 
pastor over the congregations of Harmonsburg and 
Conneautville on the 14th of September, and the follow- 
ing day over that of Evansburg. 

On the 15th of September, Mr. Morton was released 
from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Mercer, 
and dismissed to the Presbytery of Beaver ; and William 
McCullough (85) licensed to preach the gospel. 

During the year 1853, Presbytery dismissed two of its 
members, and received an addition of three. On the 
12th of January, Mr. Callen was dismissed to the Pres- 
bytery of Redstone. On the 4th of May, Mr. Wag- 
goner was released from the pastoral charge of the 

l Graduated at Washington College, Pa., and Western Theological 
Seminary ; member of the Presbytery of Sydney. 



HISTORY. 155 

congregations of Georgetown and Fairfield, and Mr. 
Sailor installed at Warren, Pa. On the 7th of Septem- 
ber, David Grier (83) was received from the Presby- 
tery of Wyoming, and George W. Zahniser ordained and 
installed as pastor of the congregation of Conneautville ; 
and at the same time William McCullough was or- 
dained as an evangelist ; and on the next day James 
Irvine Smith (87) was licensed to preach the gospel. 
On the 22d of June, Robert F. Sample (86), a licentiate 
of the Presbytery of Northumberland, was received 
under the care of Presbytery, and on the 18th of Oc- 
tober, ordained and installed as pastor of the congre- 
gation of Mercer. On the 20th of October, Mr. Parkin- 
son was released from the pastoral charge of the con- 
gregations of Concord and Deerfield, and dismissed to 
the Presbytery of Steubenville ; at the same time Mr. 
Young, licentiate, was dismissed, to put himself under 
the care of the Presbytery of Greenbrier. 

In the year 1854, two new churches were enrolled : 
Waterloo, in Venango County, with a membership of 
twenty, and two elders, was organized on the 8th of March; 
and Greenfield, in Crawford County, on the 22d of June, 
with eleven members and two elders. On the 18th of 
January, Mr. Dickey (64), who had formerly been a 
member of Presbytery, was received from the Presby- 
tery of Richland, and on the 19th of April, installed as 
pastor of the congregations of Gravel Run and Wash- 
ington. On the 18th of January, Mr. Waggoner was 
dismissed to the Presbytery of Beaver, Mr. Grier was 
installed as pastor of the church of Greenville, and 
William J. Alexander (89), a member of the church of 
Mercer, licensed to preach the gospel. On the 27th of 
June, Mr. Crane was dismissed to the Presbytery of 
Clarion ; and on the 25th of September, James Irvine 



156 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Smith was ordained as an evangelist, with the view of 
laboring as a missionary in the region of Lake Superior. 

In 1855, the usual changes took place, pastoral rela- 
tions formed, and others broken up ; members received 
and others dismissed. On the 7th of February, Mr. 
McCune was released from the pastoral charge of 
Sandy Lake, and gave all his time to Cool Spring. On 
the 2d of May, James M. Shields (89), a licentiate of 
the Presbytery of Blairsville, was received under the 
care of Presbytery, and on the 29th of August, ordained 
and installed as pastor of the congregations of George- 
town and Fairfield. On the 2d day of May, Mr. Will- 
son was released from the pastoral charge of Girard, 
Fairview, and Sturgeonville ; and Mr. Eaton from the 
pastoral charge of Mount Pleasant, giving all his time 
to Franklin. On the 28th of August, Mr. Sailor was 
dismissed to the Presbytery of St. Joseph's, of the other 
branch. On the 19th of December, Mr. Alexander was 
ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of 
Concord and Deerfield, and John D. Caldwell licensed 
to preach the gospel. On the 28th of June, Park Church, 
Erie, was organized. 

In 1856, there were fewer changes than usual. The 
church of Milledgeville was organized ; Mr. Caldwell, 
licentiate, was dismissed to the Presbytery of Dubuque 
on the 7th of May. On the same day, Mr. Sample was 
released from the pastoral charge of the congregation 
of Mercer, and dismissed to the Presbytery of Carlisle. 
On the 13th of August, Charles A. Behrends (90), a 
German minister, was received into the Presbytery from 
the United Evangelical Synod of North America. 

During the year 1857, there were still fewer changes, 
as regards the reception or dismission of members. 
But the Presbytery, during the year, were called to 



HISTORY. 157 

lament the death of Robert Glenn, the oldest minister 
on the roll. He was not old in years, yet he had been 
a faithful laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. He died 
whilst yet pastor of the church of Mill Creek, where he 
had been ordained on the 12th of September, 1832. He 
died with the harness on, trembling as a sinner, yet re- 
joicing and triumphing as a Christian, in the grace of 
our Lord Jesus Christ. His death took place on the 
6th of September, 1857, after having preached the gos- 
pel for a quarter of a century, and leaving behind him 
a record of piety and Christian consistency that is far 
more valuable than that of the heroes and conquerors, 
whose deeds are chronicled in story and in song. 

On the 6th of January, William M. Blackburn (91) 
was received from the Presbytery of Lake, and on the 
25th of May, installed as the first pastor of Park 
Church, Erie. On the 7th of January, Mr. Eaton was 
released from the pastoral charge of the congregation 
of Franklin, but continued as a stated supply, and Mr. 
Alexander from that of Concord and Deerfield. On the 
29th of April, John Ross Findley (92) was received 
from the Presbytery of Sydney, and installed as pastor 
of the congregation of Mercer ; and the name of Charles 
A. Behrends stricken from the roll, and on the 26th of 
September Mr. Willson was dismissed to the Presbytery 
of Kansas. 

During the year 1858, there were few changes, but it 
was a year of rich mercy and blessing to many of the 
churches. The spirit was poured out in many places, 
reminding the attentive reader of the early years of the 
history of Presbytery. In the narrative of this year 
we read : " Sinners, not by twos and threes, but by 
scores, have been hopefully converted. One narrative 
(church) reports one hundred and fifteen precious souls 



158 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

as brought to Christ, another seventy-five, another 
forty, another twenty-five, another twelve." 

On the 13th of April, Mr. Alexander was dismissed 
to the Presbytery of Washington. Mr. Coulter was 
released from the pastoral charge of Harmonsburg 
and Evansburg, and on the next day Ira Miller Con- 
dit (95), a member of the church of Georgetown, was 
licensed to preach the gospel. During this year the 
hearts of the brethren were made sad by the death of 
Mr. McCullough, who went to rest on the 1st day of 
February. He was anxious to labor, yet the call to rest 
was welcome and joyous. 

In the year 1859, there were two dismissions from 
Presbytery, and three ordinations. On the 13th of 
April, Mr. Zahniser was released from the pastoral 
charge of Conneautville and dismissed to the Presby- 
tery of Huntington ; and on the same day, Mr. Grier 
was released from the pastoral charge of Greenville. 
On the next day, Mr. Coulter was dismissed to the Pres- 
bytery of Alleghany. Also, John R. Hamilton (93), a 
licentiate of the Presbytery of Blairsville, and John 
Dagg Howey (94), a licentiate of the Presbytery of 
Steubenville, were received under the care of Presby- 
tery. On the 15th of June, Mr. Hamilton was ordained 
and installed as pastor of the congregation of Fair- 
view, and on the 20th, of that of Sturgeonville. Half 
his time was employed in each congregation. On the 
21st of" September, Mr. Howey was ordained and in- 
stalled as pastor of the congregations of Mill Creek 
and Sugar Creek — time divided equally. On the 24th 
of the same month, Mr. Condit was ordained as an 
evangelist, with the view of laboring as a missionary in 
China. The Presbytery had already sent two of its 
members to labor as missionaries amongst the Western 



HISTORY. 159 

Indians, but Mr. Condit was the first to go to foreign 
lands. The occasion of his ordination was one of 
great interest. Rev. E. P. Swift, D. D., by invitation, 
preached the sermon, Dr. Reynolds offered the ordain- 
ing prayer, and Mr. Eaton delivered the charge to the 
missionary. 

In the year 1860, two ordained ministers were re- 
ceived into the Presbytery and one dismissed. One licen- 
tiate was received and one candidate licensed. Rev. 
Anthony Canon Junkin (96) was received from the 
Presbytery of Baltimore on the 10th of April, and on 
the following day, Rev. Huey Newell (97), from the 
Presbytery of Iowa. On the same day, John Gordon 
Condit (100), a member of the church of Fairfield, and 
nephew of Rev. Ira Condit (24), one of the fathers of 
the Presbytery, was licensed to preach the gospel. On 
the 26th of June, George Scott (98), a licentiate of the 
Presbytery of Washington, was received under the 
care of Presbytery, and on the next day ordained and 
installed as pastor of the congregations of Greenfield 
and Evansburg, and afterwards of Harmonsburg. On 
the 27th of June, Mr. Grier was dismissed to the Pres- 
bytery of Carlisle. On the 19th of June, the church 
of Mount Vernon, a colony from the old church of 
Concord, in Venango County, was organized. This 
church consisted of eleven members with two elders. 

In 1861 there were few changes. On the 8th of 
May, Rev. James Hilliar Spelman (99) was received 
from the Presbytery of Hudson of the other branch. 
On the same day, John Haskell Sargent (101), a licen- 
tiate of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, was received 
under the care of Presbytery, and on the 26th of June, 
ordained as an evangelist. On the 8th of May, Robert 
Taylor (102), a member of the Mercer County Bar- 



160 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

was licensed to preach the gospel, and on the 13th of 
November ordained and installed as pastor of the con- 
gregation of Warren, Pa. On the 26th of June, Mr. 
Condit was ordained as an evangelist. Both Mr. Con- 
dit and Mr. Sargent were ordained with reference to 
missionary work in the bounds of Presbytery. On the 
26th of June, the name of the Fairview church was 
changed to Westminster. Fairview church had been 
gathered by Rev. Johnston Eaton, and was one of the 
oldest churches on the roll of Presbytery. But the 
changes of the times had placed it wholly outside of 
Fairview Township, and the name was consequently 
changed. On the 8th of April, Mr. J. M. Condit was 
dismissed to the Presbytery of Canton, China. 

It was during this year that the Presbytery first 
placed upon record its deliverance on the state of the 
country, in connection with the war of the Rebellion. 
After approving of the conduct of its commissioners 1 
to the General Assembly, in sustaining the u Spring 
Resolutions," they further say : " Presbytery, moreover, 
desires to express its hearty concurrence in the action 
adopted by the General Assembly, declaring it to be 
the duty of the Presbyterian Church, loyally to support 
the Government of the United States in its present 
struggle, regarding said action as being consistent with 
the patriotic devotion to the principles of civil and re- 
ligious liberty, which said church has never failed to 
manifest, and which said government is so well and 
wisely adapted, as its organization was designed, to 
secure. 

" Looking upon the present conflict as being, substan- 
tially, for the maintenance and preservation of what 
our revolutionary struggle was waged to establish (for 

1 Rev. S. J. M. Eaton, and Elder Elias Alexander, of Mercer. 



HISTORY. 161 

the success of the present rebellion would go far, we 
believe, to endanger republican institutions themselves, 
by destroying confidence in them), we would be unfaith- 
ful to our noble record as a church, if now we should 
fail, in every proper way, to show our attachment to 
those institutions, to help to give us which, its ministers, 
ruling elders, and members, were amongst the first in 
offering treasure and blood, together with their prayers 
to the God who giveth the victory to whom He will." 1 

In 1862 there were the usual changes. On the 10th 
of June, Mr. Scott was released from the pastoral charge 
of the congregations of Greenfield, Evansburg, and 
Harmonsburg, and Mr. Junkin installed at Greenville. 
On the same day, Newell S. Lowrie (103), a licentiate 
of the Presbytery of Saltsburg, w r as received under 
the care of Presbytery, and on the 27th of October, 
ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of 
Conneautville and Harmonsburg. At the same time, 
James Hervey Gray (104), a licentiate of the Presby- 
tery of Alleghany City, received under the care of 
Presbytery the preceding day, was ordained as an evan- 
gelist. On the 26th of September, Mr. Taylor was re- 
leased from the pastoral charge of Warren, Pa., and 
dismissed to the 2d Presbytery of Philadelphia. 

In 1863, the Presbytery added one to the number of 
its ministers, and dismissed three toother Presbyteries. 
On the 26th of September, Rev. William Porter Moore 
(106) was received from the Presbytery of Clarion. 
On the loth of April, Rev. William T. Hamilton, D. D., 
(105), was restored to the functions of the ministry. 
On the 23d of September, Mr. Sargent was dismissed 
to the Presbytery of Londonderry. On the 26th of 
September, Mr. Scott was dismissed to the Presbytery 

i Min. vL 201, 202. 
11 



162 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

of Steubenville, and on the 22d of December, Mr. Black- 
burn was released from the pastoral charge of the con- 
gregation of Park Church, Erie, and dismissed to the 
Presbytery of New Brunswick. On the 20th of Octo- 
ber, the second church of Mercer was organized. This 
was a colony from the first church of Mercer, and con- 
sisted of forty-eight members, with three ruling elders. 
During the year 1864 there was a slight gain in the 
membership of Presbytery. On the 23d of February, 
Mr. Shields was released from the pastoral charge of 
the congregations of Georgetown and Fairfield, and dis- 
missed to the Presbytery of Alleghany City. On the 
13th of April, Eev. George Fairies Cain (107) was re- 
ceived from the Presbytery of Newton, and on the 11th 
of May, installed as pastor of Park Church, Erie. On 
the 13th of April, Mr. Spelman was dismissed to the 
Presbytery of Washington. On the 12th of May, Dr. 
Hamilton was installed as pastor of the church of War- 
ren, Pa. On the 13th of April, Mr. J. G. Condit was 
released from the pastoral charge of the congregation of 
Sandy Lake. On the 14th of June, Rev. William M. 
Robinson (108) was received from the Presbytery of 
Washington, and the next day installed as pastor of the 
congregation of the Second Church, Mercer. On the 
same day, Mr. J. R. Hamilton was released from the 
pastoral charge of the congregations of Sturgeonville, 
Girard, and Westminster, he having accepted the office 
of chaplain in the army of the United States. On the 
same day Rev. David Waggoner (54) was received from 
the Presbytery of Beaver, and on the 24th of June in- 
stalled as pastor of the congregation of Georgetown for 
three fourths of his time, and on the 1st of July for the 
remaining fourth as pastor of Greenfield. On the 26th 
of September, Mr. J. G. Condit was dismissed to the 



HISTORY. 163 

Presbytery of Fairfield, and on the 13th of December, 
Luther Martin Belden (109), a licentiate of the Pres- 
bytery of Redstone, was received under the care of 
Presbytery, and on the next day ordained and in- 
stalled pastor of the congregations of Sturgeon ville 
and Westminster. 

In the year 1865, delegates were appointed to the 
Presbyteries of the other branch, Erie and Mead ville, 
to convey the fraternal salutations of the Presbytery, 
and to endeavor to inaugurate a more friendly and 
sociable feeling between the bodies. The delegate to 
the Presbytery of Meadville, Dr. Reynolds, was pre- 
vented by ill health from fulfilling his mission. The 
delegate to the Erie Presbytery, Mr. Eaton, met with 
that Presbytery, was kindly and affectionately received, 
and assured of the fraternal regard of the brethren. 
A delegate was appointed to return the compliment. 
This delegate, Rev. William Grassie, met with the 
Presbytery, and expressed the kind wishes and Christian 
salutations of his brethren. The interchange was kind 
and feeling, and was regarded as the harbinger of better 
things to come. 

On the 26th of April of this year, Rev. John Rice 
(110) was received from the Presbytery of Saltsburg, 
and Mr. Howey released from the pastoral charge 
of the congregations of Sugar Creek and Mill Creek. 
On the 29th of September, Mr. J. R. Hamilton was dis- 
missed to the Presbytery of Washington. On the 8th 
of November, Samuel M. Glenn, 1 a member of the 
church of Mill Creek, was licensed to preach the gospel. 
Mr. Glenn was a son of Rev. Robert Glenn (44), one 

1 Graduate of Jefferson College; Western Theological Seminary. 
Dismissed to Presbytery of Columbus. Pastor of the Church of 
Lithopolis. 



164 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

of the valued members of Presbytery, who now rested 
from his labors. On the 24th of September, the church 
of Petroleum Centre was organized. This church con- 
sisted of fourteen members with two ruling elders, and 
was made up of new material in a new town, in the oil 
region of Venango County. On the 26th of April, Dr. 
Hamilton was deposed from the ministry. 

On the 26th of April, of this year, the following 
deliverance was made on the state of the country : — 

" Whereas, in the great and desolating war waged 
to divide and destroy our government, which has con- 
tinued now more than four years, during the first two or 
three years with varying success, often apparently to the 
advantage of the insurgents, our arms have in the course 
of the last year, and especially during the past few 
weeks, met with extraordinary and uninterrupted suc- 
cess, so that at present our government is in possession 
of every important harbor and seacoast city and town, 
from Maine to Eastern Texas, and our flag again floats 
over the fort, against which the first shot of the gigan- 
tic rebellion was aimed, and from which it was removed 
after having been lowered by its heroic garrison at the 
close of a gallant defense ; and whereas, we are in 
possession of the capitol of the so-called confederate 
government ; and whereas the general-in-chief of the 
rebel military forces has surrendered himself, and the 
principal army of the rebellion, to our armies, and the 
other armies of the rebellion, with few and compara- 
tively insignificant exceptions, have surrendered and 
been destroyed as organized bodies ; therefore — 

" Resolved, That our thanks and praises are due to 
Jehovah of Hosts, whose right-arm, we would distinctly 
acknowledge, has given us the victory. 

" Resolved, That the wisdom and goodness of the 



HISTORY. 165 

Providence of God are now clearly discernible in the 
light of events, in the long dark period of our disasters, 
in that, whilst afflicting, He has humbled us, and by trib- 
ulation, was leading us to a more full realization of what 
we are so slow to learn — our dependence on Him alone, 
the necessity of earnest prayer to Him with confession of 
our national sins with contrite hearts, the evil and guilt 
and barbarism of slavery, and the need of its utter re- 
moval from the land. 

"Resolved, That our most hearty thanks are due to 
God, that through all our troubles and distresses, He 
has sustained the hope and confidence and courage of 
this great nation, so that the hearts of the people have 
not fainted, nor their strength failed. 

" Resolved, That we record with deep gratitude the 
disposition of the loyal people of our country to see and 
confess the good hand of our God in our victories, and 
the unanimity with which, as under a common strong 
impulse of religious emotion, they showed forth their 
joy by acts and words of devout adoration. 

Resolved, That we heartily rejoice at the prospect of 
early peace — a peace, the result of the triumph of the 
arms we were required by duty to God and our country 
to take up, in behalf and defense of right and justice 
and true liberty. May God, who has helped us hitherto, 
grant that these hopes of early peace may not be dis« 
appointed." * 

With reference to the assassination of the President 
of the United States, the following paper was passed : 
" Whereas, in his providence, always wise, often mysteri~ 
ous, God has permitted the removal of our late honored 
Chief Magistrate, by the hand of an assassin, connected 
with a band of conspirators having in view the disorgan- 
ization of our Federal Government : Therefore — 

i Min. vii. 94-97. 



166 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

" Resolved, That it becomes us as a people to bow in 
humble though sorrowing acquiescence under the heavy 
affliction, while declaring our abhorrence and condemna- 
tion of the enormous crime against the government, in 
which we see the spirit of barbarism, begotten out of 
the same iniquitous system out of which also sprang 
treason and rebellion, with all the cruelties inflicted on 
prisoners in Southern prisons, massacres of surrendered 
garrisons, lawless guerrilla warfare, etc. 

" Resolved, That in the assassination of our late 
President, and attempted assassination of Secretary 
Seward, and the no-doubt purposed assassination of other 
high officers, we discover a legitimate fruit of the evil and 
dangerous tendency of the abuse of the great acknowl- 
edged American rights of the freedom of speech and of 
the press, showing itself in vituperation, threats, violent 
and intemperate denunciation, etc., of officers of the 
government, an evil confined to no particular time or 
class of persons, although of late it has been specially 
prevalent and intensely virulent. 

" Resolved, In view of its tendency to demoralize and 
pervert the judgment and conscience, as made manifest 
in this rebellion, in conspiracies to burn and destroy 
cities and towns ; to commit robberies ; to put in jeop- 
ardy the lives of women and children, and other non-com- 
batants, by attempts to hurl trains of passenger cars 
from railroad tracks, far away from the seat of war, and 
when such acts can have no possible influence in its 
progress favorable to the cause in the interests of which 
they are professedly done ; and in encouraging assassina- 
tions of officers of government — a mode of warfare 
long since condemned bv the civilized world as illegiti- 
mate and abhorrent to every human sentiment ; and in 
view of its numerous evil effects on the white population 



HISTORY. 167 

wherever brought into contact with it, as well as in 
view of the monstrous wrong it is to the black race : 
That we rejoice in the prospect of the speedy, utter dis- 
appearance of slavery from the land ; and to seek to 
hasten that disappearance, by all legitimate means, we 
regard to be the duty of all good men. 

"Resolved, That it is the duty of all, to render a 
hearty support and sympathy to President Johnson, 
with prayers for divine counsel in his behalf, as now the 
head of this government. 

" Resolved, That Presbytery recommend to all 
churches and church-members under our care the ob- 
servance of Thursday, June the 1st (1865), next, as a 
day of humiliation and prayer, in compliance with the 
recently issued proclamation of President Johnson." 1 

In 1866, the changes were few. On the 25th of 
April, Mr. Gray and Mr. Howey were dismissed, the 
former to the Presbytery of Clarion, the latter to the 
Presbytery of Columbus ; and on the same day Mr. 
Belden was released from the pastoral charge of West- 
minster. On the 11th of July, Mr. Lambe (HI) was 
ordained and installed as pastor of the congregation of 
Milledgeville for one half of his time. On the 23d of 
October, Mr. Glenn, licentiate, was dismissed to put 
himself under the care of the Presbytery of Columbus, 
and Rev. James Junius Marks, D. D. (112), was re- 
ceived from the Presbytery of Ohio. On the 13th of 
December, Robert Stansbury Van Cleve (113), a licen- 
tiate of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, was received 
under the care of Presbytery, and ordained as an evan- 
gelist. 

In the year 1867, there were not many changes. On 
the 8th of May, Mr. Junkin was released from the pas- 

i Min. vii. 96-98. 



168 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

toral charge of Greenville ; Mr. Van Cleve was dis- 
missed to the Presbytery of Buffalo, of the other 
branch; Rev. John J. Gridley (114) was received 
from the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Rev. J. 
Jones Smyth (115) from the Presbytery of Indianap- 
olis ; and on the 25th of September, Rev. David Patten 
(116) from the Reformed Presbyterian church. The 
name of the church of Mount Vernon was changed to 
Pleasantville, and the church of Tidioute reorganized, 
out of what had been the church of Deerfield. This 
church had been anciently called Tidioute, but had 
been changed to Deerfield, and now changed back to 
Tidioute. The church of Cochran ton was also re- 
ceived from the Reformed Presbyterian Church. 

During the last years of this period, many interesting 
revivals of religion have taken place. Many of the 
churches were very greatly refreshed and enlarged. In 
the year 1859, there were reported two hundred and 
seventy-six members as added on examination. In the 
next year, two hundred and forty-eight, and in 1867, 
three hundred and eighty-six. This latter was a year 
of the right-hand of the Most High, — a year when 
God seemed to be opening the windows of heaven 
in mercy to the children of men. During this year, 
there was a very general feeling of revival through the 
churches of the Presbytery, with the largest ingather- 
ing in its entire history. 



CHAPTER VII. 

SUPPLEMENTAL. 

The roll of the Presbytery has been constantly 
changing. This has been owing not only to the com- 
mon mortality that belongs to the human family, but 
chiefly to other causes. Since the origin of the Pres- 
bytery, it has been essentially missionary ground. In 
some sections of its territory, it is almost as destitute of 
the means of grace as in 1803, when " Supplications " 
were made for supplies. Many of its congregations 
are weak from the circumstances of the country and 
population. They have always remained weak. Some 
sections have been weakened by the division of Pres- 
bytery in 1838. Others, again, have been constantly 
depleted by emigration to the West. The consequence 
has been that pastoral settlements have been of short 
continuance, as a general rule. Some of the early 
fathers lived and died in the charges in which they 
were originally settled, but these were rare exceptions, 
and generally where they had procured property, when 
land was cheap, and drew a part of their livelihood 
from the soil. Ordinarily the meagreness of the sala- 
ries has induced the necessity of frequent changes, and 
the breaking up of pastoral relations that were other- 
wise pleasant, and would have been permanent. 

There have been upon the roll of Presbytery, since 



170 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

its organization, the names of one hundred and six- 
teen ministers. Of this number, forty-eight rest from 
their labors, and are now ministering in a higher and 
sublimer service in the Upper Sanctuary. It can truly 
be said : " Their works do follow them." The aver- 
age age of these forty-eight departed brethren was 
sixty-five years ; if we take the first thirty on the roll, 
the average age was seventy years, whilst the oldest 
three, James Satterfield, Joseph Badger, and Amos 
Chase, reached the patriarchal age of ninety years. Of 
these only eighteen actually died within the territory of 
the Presbytery and slumber amid the scenes of their 
labor in this Presbytery. 

The oldest minister now living, whose name is on 
the roll of the Presbytery, is Daniel Washburn, of the 
State of New York, now in his seventy-sixth year ; the 
next oldest is David McKinney. 

It would be delightful to linger over the necrology 
of these deceased fathers and brethren, to speak of 
their labor and toil and suffering, in the Master's work ; 
but time will not permit. Their record is on high. 
And when the Great Head and King in Zion makes up 
his jewels, and writes up the number of his people, it 
will be found that this and that man were born in Zion, 
through the instrumentality of their labors, until a 
mighty multitude shall stand before the throne, as the 
fruit of their ministry. Their record will be bright and 
beautiful 

" When gems and crowns and monuments 
Lie mouldering in the dust/' 

Of these one hundred and sixteen ministers, fifteen 
were born in foreign lands ; and of these, ten were 
born in Ireland, two in Scotland, two in Germany, and 
one in England. Of those who were natives of the 



HISTORY. 171 

United States, fifty-six were born in Pennsylvania, nine 
in Massachusetts, six in Ohio, five in New York, five in 
New Jersey, four in Connecticut, three in Vermont, two 
in Delaware, two in Maryland, two in Virginia, and one 
in Indiana, leaving three whose place of birth is un- 
known. 

The members of this Presbytery have graduated or 
studied at the following institutions, namely : Cannons- 
burg Academy and Jefferson College, fifty-one ; Wash- 
ington College, Pa., six ; College of New Jersey, five ; 
Yale, four ; Dickinson, three ; Western University of 
Pennsylvania, two ; and one each from the following : 
Alleghany, Pa. ; La Fayette ; Marshall ; University of 
Pa. ; Madison ; Rhode Island College ; Middlebury, 
Vt. ; Amherst ; Union, N. Y. ; Muskingum, O. ; Miamie 
University ; Hanover, Ind. ; Dartmouth ; Williams, 
and Glasgow University. In addition to these, a few 
studied at academies, and of two, the place of study is 
unknown. 

The theological education of the earlier ministers, 
was mainly pursued privately, under the superinten- 
dence of some laborious pastor. No less than twenty 
of them studied under Rev. John McMillan, D. D., one 
of the earliest pioneers, not only in preaching the gos- 
pel, but in lifting up the standard of education west of 
the Alleghany mountains. From him they received a 
system of theology, that they copied out laboriously, and 
afterwards taught to pupils who studied under them ; 
so that the influence of Dr. McMillan's teaching did not 
stop with his immediate pupils, but extended to those 
who never saw his face or heard his voice. 

After the establishment of theological seminaries, 
Phineas Camp, received in 1819, was the first minister 
in the Presbytery who had been an inmate of a sem- 



172 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

inary. He was a student of Princeton. Since that date, 
the Western Theological Seminary has furnished forty- 
one members; Princeton, nineteen ; Andover, two; 
Union Theological Seminary, two ; Oxford, one ; and 
Auburn, one. 

Of the older ministers on the roll, three at least, 
Joseph Badger, Johnston Eaton, and Benjamin Boyd, 
were regular government chaplains during the war of 
1812. Of the younger members, eleven at least served 
as regular government chaplains during the late re- 
bellion, and of these, three suffered imprisonment at 
the hands of the enemy. In addition to the regular 
service, nine at least were in the service of the Chris- 
tian Commission for a greater or less period of time. 

There is but one permanent office in the Presbytery, 
that of Stated Clerk. This office has been held by 
twelve different persons. William Wick was Stated 
Clerk from 1802 to 1809 ; Samuel Tait from 1809 to 
1811; John McPherrin from 1811 to 1812; Cyrus 
Riggs from 1812 to 1821; Timothy Alden from 1821 
to 1822 ; Johnston Eaton from 1822 to 1838 ; Wells 
Bushnell from 1838 to 1839 ; Reuben Lewis from 1839 
to 1840 ; Absalom McCready from 1840 to 1842 ; John 
V. Reynolds from 1842 to 1851 ; David Waggoner from 
1851 to 1853 ; and S. J. M. Eaton from 1853 to the 
present time. 

The early fathers, and many of the younger brethren 
of the Presbytery of Erie, have passed away, and the 
angels are now listening to their songs ; but they have 
left impressions behind them that will never be oblit- 
erated until the new heavens and the new earth shall 
take the place of those that now are. The record of 
their orthodoxy, their piety, their burning love for souls, 
and their self-denying labors, is not only written in God's 



HISTORY. 173 

great Book above, but is impressed upon the very hills 
and valleys that once resounded with their voices. 
More than this : it is written upon the green prairies 
of the great West ; in the distant States of New Eng- 
land, and in the stirring region of Texas. And this 
record is to be gathered amid the quiet homes of many 
States ; in the lonely military camp ; amid the rush and 
storm and crash of the battle-field, where death holds 
fearful carnival ; in the hospital, amid plague and pes- 
tilence and dire mutilating wounds ; and amid all the 
varied vicissitudes of life, wherever sin has brought 
suffering and peril and danger. This sweet and beau- 
tiful record is to be found, wherever the breaking heart 
has called for comfort, and tearful eyes have looked for 
relief throughout all our broad land, and in other 
lands. 

The influence of these men is felt in almost every 
community in Western Pennsylvania, in the peculiar 
type of religious faith and practice that prevails. The 
early fathers began their work when society was in a 
plastic state. The impressions they made became per- 
manent. They have been handed down from one gen- 
eration to another. They still affect the tone and 
character of society. 

In addition to all this, their example is on record. It 
is a bright and luminous chapter in the history of the 
church of Jesus Christ. Though dead, they yet speak 
— speak to the churches ; speak to us, their younger 
brethren, telling us — 

" The vows 
Of God are on us, and we may not stop 
To play with shadows, or pluck earthly flowers, 
Till we our work have done and rendered up 
Account." 



PART II. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 

BIOGRAPHIES OF DECEASED MINISTERS. 

" These all died in faith." 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



(1.) THOMAS EDGAR HUGHES. 

1798-1838. 

Mr. Hughes, who heads the long roll of the Pres- 
bytery of Erie, was a notable man in his day. He was 
the first minister of the gospel who settled north of the 
Ohio River. He was of Welsh origin. His grand- 
father, William Hughes, emigrated from Wales at an 
early period, and died at the advanced age of one hun- 
dred years. His father, Rowland Hughes, died January 
4, 1779, aged fifty-six years. Rowland Hughes was 
twice married. By his first wife he had two sons and 
one daughter. Each of these obtained a good report. 
His second wife was Elizabeth Smiley, daughter of 
Robert Smiley, long an elder, in Scotland. By this 
marriage he had five sons and one daughter. Each of 
these was of good repute in the household of faith. 
Three were ministers of the gospel, James, Rowland, 
and Thomas Edgar. Two were associate judges and 
ruling elders, and the sister, Mrs. Isabella Anderson, 
was the mother of two ministers and one ruling elder. 

Thomas Edgar Hughes, the fourth son of Rowland 

and Elizabeth (Smiley) Hughes, was born in York 

County, Pa., on the 7th day of April, 1769. In early 

youth he was not specially favored with facilities for 

12 



178 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

education, except as to the principles of religion, but 
was occupied chiefly in the labors of the farm. About 
a year after his father's death, his mother with the 
family crossed the mountains and settled in what is 
now Washington County, Pa. Their home being 
equally distant between Chartiers and Upper Buffalo, 
they enjoyed the ministry of Rev. John McMillan, and 
at times that of Rev. Joseph Smith. 

When Mr. Hughes was about twelve years of age, 
there were revivals of religion in both these churches. 
During these seasons of religious interest, deep impres- 
sions were made upon his mind, yet there seemed to be 
no abiding change. His seasons of thoughtfulness con- 
tinued until the spring of 1787, when he was eighteen 
years of age. At this period, he was deeply convicted 
of sin and of his need of a Saviour. The more direct 
means of producing this state of mind he considered 
was an exhortation, on Monday after a communion oc- 
casion, by Dr. McMillan. This state of mind continued 
for several months. In deep distress he went a dis- 
tance of ten miles to confer with a pious friend. This 
he ever afterwards regarded as a memorable visit. 
Whilst there his conviction of the evil and guilt of sin, 
especially grieving the Holy Spirit, were overpowering, 
well-nigh bringing him to despair. On his way home, 
he was led to reflect on the greatness and majesty of 
God, the method of salvation through Jesus Christ, 
until he obtained clearer views of the doctrines of the 
gospel than he had ever before conceived. He studied 
the " Assembly's Larger Catechism " closely, and was 
astonished that he had never before observed the truths 
of God's Word, so clearly set forth. Many passages of 
the Bible were brought to mind with an energy and 
grandeur before unappreciated, and he was impressed 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 179 

with the thought that they were the very words of God, 
most assuredly true and inestimably precious. 

From papers left for the information of his family, 
the following extracts are made : — 

" My mind was taken up in contemplating the amaz- 
ing wisdom and love of God in providing a Saviour ; 
but the personal glories of the Redeemer, the suitable- 
ness of his offices and work, his ability and willingness 
to save guilty sinners, his sufferings and death, and his 
present exalted state at the right hand of the throne of 
God, filled me with astonishment and wonder. 

"Everything appeared new; the glory of God ap- 
peared to shine forth on everything around me. With 
intense interest I observed the change that had occurred 
in the frame of my mind. I dreadfully feared decep- 
tion, and lifted up my heart in prayer to God to keep 
me from resting in any delusion. My mind, so dark 
and burdened before, enjoyed sweet composure and 
peace. The way of life appeared plain and infinitely 
excellent and glorious. I exclaimed : ' If I had a thou- 
sand souls, I could cheerfully trust them all in the 
hands of such a Saviour ! ? 

" From this date, July 16, 1787, I humbly date my 
conversion to God, when I was eighteen years and three 
months of age." 

In his handwriting, there is still extant a paper bear- 
ing date April 7, 1792, in which he enters into solemn 
covenant with God and consecration to his service. 
Not far from this date, he commenced his studies at 
the Cannonsburg Academy, with reference to the gos- 
pel ministry. Having made proficiency there, he re- 
paired to Princeton and entered the College of New 
Jersey, where in due time he graduated, probably in 
1797. There is evidence that whilst a student he 



180 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

maintained a godly walk and conversation. His theolog- 
ical studies were pursued under the direction of Rev. 
John McMillan, for whom he ever cherished a high de- 
gree of veneration. 

He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presby- 
tery of Ohio, on the 17th day of October, 1798. Not long 
after this he began his ministerial labors in the congre- 
gation of Mount Pleasant, near Darlington, Beaver 
County, Pennsylvania, where he was ordained by the 
same Presbytery on the 28th day of August, 1799. For 
a time he labored in the congregation of New Salem, 
in connection with Mount Pleasant ; but this was given 
up in 1808, when he devoted all his time to the latter 
place. Mr. Hughes' ordination was the first transac- 
tion of the kind north of the Ohio, and west of the 
Alleghany rivers. His pastoral relation to the church 
of Mount Pleasant continued until the 19th of Novem- 
ber, 1830, a period of more than thirty years. 

Leaving Mount Pleasant, he removed to Wellsville, 
Ohio, where, for about four years, he had charge of the 
Presbyterian Church in that place. He had long en- 
joyed a good degree of health, but at length became a 
great sufferer. He was afflicted with angina pectoris, 
causing him acute pain, and leading to the conclusion 
that his constitution was broken. He was laid aside 
from public labors about two years. In this time he 
had much tender and solemn religious exercise — pen- 
itent, humble, prayerful, hopeful, buoyant, confiding. 
At length his hour of death arrived. Amongst his last 
utterances, were these : " I feel unworthy to use such 
strong language as I might in truth, in speaking of the 
rich enjoyment the Lord permits me to experience. I 
am not afraid to die. My sins are all taken away 
through the mediation of Christ." And so he departed 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 181 

in peace, May 2, 1838, in the seventieth year of his age 
and fortieth of his ministry. 

Amongst his memoranda is this : u On the 6th of 
May, 1799, I was married to Mary Donehey, a pious 
young woman. This I always regarded as one of the 
most happy occurrences of my life, one of the greatest 
gifts of God, and one received very sensibly in answer 
to prayer. She has been ever since, and continues yet 
to be, the great comfort of my life." 

His wive survived him several years. They had ten 
children, seven sons and three daughters. Four of the 
sons, William, John D., Watson, and James R., are 
ministers of the gospel, and one an efficient ruling 
elder, and one of the daughters the wife of a minister. 
One of the ministers above mentioned has three sons 
in the ministry. 

Mr. Hughes was a friend to education. He did 
much for the Greersburgh Academy. Many of the 
early ministers studied with him, and derived great as- 
sistance from his counsels and efforts. His charge was 
blessed with many revivals during his ministry. Dur- 
ing one of these the Spirit of God was copiously poured 
out for several months, and upwards of one hundred 
persons were added to the Mount Pleasant Church. 
As a pastor he was faithful, being an earnest preacher, 
and careful in the religious training of the youth of 
his charge. 

He was an earnest friend of missions. In the period 
of his vigor, he twice went, under appointment of the 
Synod of Pittsburgh, as a missionary amongst the In- 
dians, for a few months. On one of these occasions he 
brought home with him an Indian boy to educate. This 
youth whilst in his family became hopefully pious, and 
made a public profession of religion. During one of 



182 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

his missionary tours, 1 he was instrumental in leading to 
conviction of sin, a somewhat celebrated Indian warrior 
called Ununqua, or Barnett, who was subsequently 
baptized and received into the church. He travelled as 
far northwest as Detroit in the work of his mission, and 
was with Badger (11) in the famous tour, when that 
veteran pioneer had such struggles with disease and 
cold and privation in the wilderness. But his struggles 
have all ceased. He rests from his labors. His min- 
istry is now carried on where there are neither strug- 
gles, nor want, nor doubts, nor fears. He rests from his 
labors, and his works do follow him. 

(2.) WILLIAM WICK. 

1799-1815. 

William Wick was a lineal descendent of the Pil- 
grim Fathers. He was the son of Lemuel and Deborah 
(Luptein) Wick, and was born on Long Island, N. Y., 
on the 29th day of June, 1768. He removed to Wash- 
ington County, Pa., in 1790. On the 21st day of April, 
1791, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth 
McFarland, youngest daughter of Col. Daniel McFar- 
land, an officer of the Continental Army, in the Revo- 
lutionary War. Her mother's maiden name was Sarah 
Barber. Her father emigrated to Washington County 
at the close of the war, and settled on a large tract of 
land on what was called Lower Ten Mile Creek. His 
name is mentioned in "Old Redstone," page 146. She 
united with the church under the ministry of Rev. 
Thaddeus Dodd, and received her education chiefly 
from him. 

There was a great call for ministers in these days, 

1 Dr. Elliott. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 183 

and Dr. McMillan was constantly seeking out young 
men of piety and gifts, and urging them to dedicate 
themselves to the great work of the gospel ministry. 
Amongst others, he sought out Mr. Wick, and urged 
him to abandon his farm and his cattle for this urgent 
work. Being of a delicate constitution, he had some 
doubts as to the propriety of the undertaking ; but after 
much prayer and reflection, he felt it to be his duty to 
go to the Academy at Cannonsburg. Here he pursued 
his studies with quietness and assiduity, enjoying what 
facilities were there provided. His studies here were 
completed in 1797, before the College charter was ob- 
tained. He was one of the founders of the " Franklin 
Literary Society." 

His theological education was obtained at Dr. McMil- 
lan's log-cabin, when he was licensed to preach the 
gospel by the Presbytery of Ohio, August 28, 1799. 
Having accepted calls to labor in the congregations of 
Neshannock and Hopewell, Pa., he was ordained by the 
Presbytery of Ohio, and installed pastor of these con- 
gregations, on the 3d day of September, 1800. During 
the next year he was released from the charge of the 
congregation of Neshannock, and installed as pastor of 
that of Youngstown, Ohio, for the half of his time. 

Mr. Wick was one of the original members of the 
Presbytery of Erie. He was also an original member 
of the Presbytery of Beaver. His labors were confined 
chiefly to Youngstown and Hopewell, although he found 
time to engage in missionary work " in the regions be- 
yond." He was the first permanent laborer in the 
Western Reserve. About three years after his settle- 
ment, he was blessed with the outpouring of God's 
Spirit, during which many were gathered into the 
church. He was aided by the Connecticut Missionary 



184 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Society, for a year or two, and was always the friend of 
missions. He and Joseph Badger were ever fast 
friends, and took missionary tours together. He was 
Moderator of the Synod of Pittsburgh, in 1811. 

Says his daughter, Mrs. Wood, " I remember dis- 
tinctly of Revs. Mc Curdy, Marquis, Badger, Hughes, and 
others meeting at my father's house, to devise plans for 
the spread of the gospel throughout the western wilder- 
ness." 

He was a faithful minister of the Word, yet his min- 
istry was brief. In October, 1814, he contracted a 
severe cold, and in a short time it became evident that 
his lungs were seriously affected. He was feeble through 
the winter, yet was generally able to preach. March 
26, 1815, was the Sabbath he was to preach at Hope- 
well. He was not able to leave the house, and sent one 
of his sons to request the congregation to come to his 
house, and although very feeble, addressed them in a 
very solemn and affecting manner, and baptized a child. 
Being exhausted he was assisted to his bed. On Mon- 
day and Tuesday he seemed better, and walked about 
the house and yard, and attended to family worship as 
usual. On Tuesday morning he sung with his family, 
in worship, in a clear voice, the hymn — 

" On Jordan's stormy banks I stand." 

After singing, he said, "This music sounds heavenly. 
O, what will it be to hear the heavenly strains above ! " 
That evening he retired without any visible change. 
At six o'clock on Wednesday morning, Mrs. Wick no- 
ticed that his breathing was short and labored. He was 
beyond the power of speech, and before his family could 
be summoned, his spirit had taken its flight to the land 
of rest and glory. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 185 

His death took place at Hopewell, Pa., on the 29th 
day of March, 1815; in the forty-seventh year of his age, 
and sixteenth of his ministry. At his own request he 
was buried at Youngstown, Ohio. 

He was the father of eight sons and three daughters, 
the greatest portion of whom have gone down to the 
grave. One of his daughters was the wife of Rev. 
Thomas Anderson (37), for many years a member of 
the Presbytery of Erie, and the first pastor of the 
church of Franklin, Pa. 

His sons have, several of them, occupied places of 
authority and trust amongst their fellow- citizens, and 
one of them has been in the chief council of the nation. 

It is recorded on his tombstone that he preached 
during his ministry, one thousand five hundred and 
twenty-two sermons, and married fifty-six couples. 

(3.) SAMUEL TAIT. 

1800-1841. 

Samuel Tait was of Scotch descent. He was born 
near Shippensburg, Pa., on the 17th day of February, 
1772. Although unpromising in early life, yet by the 
grace of God he became one of the most useful and 
distinguished ministers in the Presbytery. His father 
was engaged in the packing business. This was the 
transportation of goods over the mountains on horse- 
back. Samuel Tait followed the same business with his 
father, and after age prevented the latter from this em- 
ployment, he carried it on for himself. He was a pro- 
fane lad, and gave little promise of usefulness. Whilst 
yet in his youth, his father removed with his family to 
Ligonier, Westmoreland County, Pa. Mr. Tait dated 
his first religious impressions to a conversation with Rev. 



186 ; PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Elisha Mc Curdy. In later years whilst ploughing in the 
field, the conviction forced itself upon his mind that he 
was a poor lost sinner. At this time he would often 
leave his plough, and retire to the woods, and there 
plead for pardoning mercy, until finally light broke in 
upon his soul, and he was enabled to cry "Abba, 
Father." At this time he had no thought of seeking 
the ministry. He was, as he thought, settled in life, 
married and working on his farm. But a committee of 
Presbytery, much to his astonishment, waited upon him, 
and urged him to seek preparation for preaching the 
gospel. 

He repaired to Cannon sburg Academy, and after- 
wards studied theology with Dr. McMillan, and was 
licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of 
Ohio on the 25th day of June, 1800. During that sum- 
mer and autumn he travelled over what is now the ter- 
ritory of the Presbytery of Erie. In the month of 
September of that year, he preached for the first time, 
to the people of Cool Spring, in Mercer County, Pa., 
from the words, " And they all with one accord began 
to make excuse." This sermon was blessed to the con- 
version of many persons. On the 19th day of Novem- 
ber, 1800, having accepted calls from Cool Spring, and 
Upper Salem, he was ordained and installed their pas- 
tor by the Presbytery of Ohio, in whose bounds these 
churches then were. 

The young pastor resided at Cool Spring, in a log- 
cabin that he had got raised and clapboarded. During 
his absence on a preaching tour, his wife chinked and 
daubed the cracks between the logs with mortar made 
by her own hands. 

The pastoral relation with Cool Spring and Upper 
Salem continued until June 25, 1806, when he relin- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 1ST 

quished the charge of Upper Salem, and gave half his 
time to the newly organized church of Mercer. At the 
time of his coming to Mercer County, the place where 
Mercer now stands was an unbroken forest. Soon after 
the laying out of the town, a church was organized, that 
sought the labors of Mr. Tait. In June. 1813. the peo- 
ple of Cool Spring agreeing to worship at Mercer, he 
gave a part of his time once more to Salem, and finally 
in 152 t? <. he relinquished Cool Spring, and gave all his 
time to Mercer. His pastorate at Mercer continued 
until his death ; although the disease that finally ter- 
minated his life, laryngeal consumption, prevented him 
from engaging in active labors for a short time pre- 
vious to his death. He was called to rest on the 2d 
dav of June. 1841, in the seventieth year of his a^e 
and fortv -first of his ministry. He died strong in the 
faith, giving glory to God. His remains are interred 
at the rear of the pulpit, where he had so long preached 
Jesus. 

He was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Calvin. 
They had two children, one of whom died in infancy, 
the other was a member of the Mercer bar. and died 
before his father. During his entire pastorate he re- 
sided on a farm and wrought with his own hands. In 
his earlier years, the field was his study, and his pocket 
Bible his library. At intervals of rest in the labors of 
the field, he would turn over the leaves of his Bible, 
and when following the plough, his mind was busy in 
the great themes of the gospel. In appearance, he 
was most commanding. He was full six feet two inches 
in height, erect in his bearing, with a firm, grave cast 
of countenance. Manv thought him austere, vet he was 
a kind and sympathizing friend, and had a melting ten- 
derness, as he pointed men to the Saviour. Yet withal. 



188 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

he was firm and immovable when the path of duty was 
plain. He was the enemy of all species of vice and 
immorality, and sometimes exposed himself to the 
wrath of evil-doers, by his opposition to their evil 
courses. 

He was most emphatically a man of prayer. His 
faith in the efficacy of prayer was wonderful. He had 
an elder, Joseph Smith, who was not one whit behind 
him in this respect. The prayers of these two men 
seem, even to the present day, to be bringing showers 
of mercy upon the church of Mercer. On one occasion 
the infant son of Mr. Smith was sick, as his physician 
supposed, unto death. The father, thinking the child 
was at the point of death, left the room. Meeting Mr. 
Tait at the door, he told him of his grief, and that all 
had been done in the power of man, and yet the child 
must die. 

Says Mr. Tait, " Have you called the elders of the 
church together to pray over him ? " 

Another elder who was near was called in, and the 
three knelt down by the couch, and Mr. Tait poured 
forth petitions for the sick infant " with strong crying 
and tears," and importunity, and a wrestling with the 
" Angel of the Covenant," such as the elders said they 
had never heard equaled. He seemed as though he 
would not be denied. And " He had power with God, 
and prevailed." The child began to grow better, and 
recovered, and was from that time dedicated to God, 
for the service of the ministry. He 1 is now standing 
on one of the high places of Zion, in the ministry to 
which he was dedicated in the faith and prayer of his 
father. 

As a man, Mr. Tait was distinguished for his strong 

1 Rev. J. T. Smith, D. D. (61). 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 189 

common sense, discriminating judgment, and familiar 
acquaintance with the human heart. As a preacher he 
was often eloquent, and had great power over an au- 
dience, and at times could sway them with wondrous 
influence. As a pastor he was faithful. In dealing 
with " cases of conscience," as the early fathers called 
them, he was most judicious and successful. Some- 
times to the heart almost broken with anguish, he 
seemed harsh, yet the result generally was that under 
his advice inquirers were led to forsake self, and 
cling to Christ alone. As a member of the ecclesi- 
astical courts, he stood high for wisdom and good judg- 
ment. He was called to the Moderator's chair more 
frequently than any other member of Presbytery. 

Mr. Tait had the great satisfaction of laboring in 
numerous revivals of religion. The first was during 
the " Falling Exercise," which was shared in by his 
churches. Again in 1831, his churches were greatly 
blessed. Another was in 1836. Yet in the history of 
his labors there was almost a constant ingathering of 
souls to the kingdom of Christ, the influence of which 
seems to remain unto this day. 

Mr. Tait was for a time a missionary to the Indians 
at Sandusky, or on the Maumee River in Ohio. He was 
appointed to this charge by the Synod of Pittsburgh, 
on the 3d day of October, 1822. The Board of Trust 
of the Western Missionary Society were about organiz- 
ing a mission family for this region, and recommended 
the Synod to appoint Mr. Tait as superintendent pro 
tempore. This appointment was accepted, and he pro- 
ceeded to the field and labored faithfully for a period 
of seven months, when he returned home. 

Mr. Tait was, when a student, one of the founders of 
the " Philo Literary Society," at Cannonsburg. He 



190 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

was also one of the original members of the Presby- 
tery of Erie, and in 1818, Moderator of the Synod of 
Pittsburgh. 

The following extracts are from a paper adopted by 
the Presbytery of Erie, on occasion of his death : 1 — 

" In the death of Rev. Samuel Tait, not only is the 
Presbytery of which he was literally the father and 
founder, called to mourn, but also that the church of 
Christ has lost one of its most efficient ministers. For 
upwards of forty years, our departed father has stood as 
a watchman on the walls of our Zion, and has labored 
truly, with apostolical zeal, to advance the interest and 
kingdom of Jesus Christ. As a preacher of the gospel, 
Mr. Tait had few superiors. Having experienced in 
his own heart many of the blessed fruits that flow from 
Calvary, his soul seemed absorbed in the work of lead- 
ing others to the same blessed fountain opened in the 
house of David for sin and uncleanness. Nor were his 
labors confined to the Sabbath and the pulpit. From 
house to house he visited the sick, cheered the mourn- 
ing, comforted the disconsolate, and pointed the dying 
to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the 
world." 

" On his death-bed Mr. Tait felt much for the dear 
people, for whose salvation he had so long labored, and 
literally spent his dying breath in praying for a revival 
of religion among them. And when his end drew nigh, 
a minister and friend who stood by his bed, inquired if 
he found comfort now in the doctrines he had so long 
preached to others, his answer was, ' All is peace, 
peace through the blood of Christ.' 

" Blessed life ! With Paul he might say, ' I have 
fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have 

l Committee : A. McCready, Cyrus Dickson, and W. M. Francis. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 191 

kept the faith ; henceforth there is laid up for me a 
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous 
Judge, shall give me at that day ; and not to me 
only, but unto all them also, that love his appearing.' " 

" And now, though the tongue had ceased to dis- 
charge its functions, and the lips that but a moment be- 
fore glowed with the story of a Saviour's love were 
sealed forever, yet when the dying saint was again asked 
by the same pious friend if all was well, and having 
made a fruitless effort to reply, he raised his hands to 
heaven, whilst a beam of inexpressible delight played 
upon his countenance. And thus he fell asleep in 
Jesus. 

u ' See where he walks, on yonder mount, that lifts 
Its summit high on the right hand of bliss, 
Sublime in glory, talking with his peers 
Of the incarnate Saviour's love, 
And, past affliction, lost in present joy.' " 

(4.) JOSEPH STOCKTON. 
1799-1832. 

Joseph Stockton was the son of Kobert and Mary 
(McKemy) Stockton, of Franklin County, Pa. He 
was born near Chambersburg, Pa., on the 25th day 
of February, 1779. His parents had eight children — 
four sons, Thomas, Robert, John, and Joseph, with 
four daughters, Margaret (Cotton), Frances (Stewart), 
Jane (Brice), and Elizabeth (Cunningham). Of these, 
the subject of this sketch was the youngest son and 
seventh child. 

In the year 1784, he removed with his father's family 
to the neighborhood of Washington, Pa. His classical 
studies were prosecuted at the Cannonsburg Academy. 
In this institution he was also employed for a time as an 



192 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.. 

instructor. He studied theology under the direction of 
Dr. John McMillan, and was licensed to preach the 
gospel on the 26th day of June, 1799, being but a few 
months over twenty years of age. In the next year, on 
the 8th day of May, 1800, he was united in marriage to 
Miss Esther Clark, a daughter of David Clark, Esq., 
who resided near his father's residence. 

In the same year in which he was licensed to preach, 
he took a tour over the territory now constituting the 
Presbytery of Erie, in company with Elisha McCurdy, 
and preached, amongst other places, at Meadville, Pa. 
In the next year, late in the autumn, having received 
an invitation to preach statedly at this place, he set out 
with his wife from the paternal home on horseback, and 
bearing with them the few things that were to make 
home comfortable, and in due time pitched his tent in 
the new town of Meadville. Over the church in this 
place, in connection with that of Little Sugar Creek, 
now Cochranton, he was ordained as pastor on the 24th 
day of June, 1801, by the Presbytery of Ohio, in whose 
bounds these churches then were. On this occasion 
Elisha McCurdy preached the sermon, and Joseph Pat : 
terson delivered the charges. His relation to these 
churches was dissolved by the Presbytery of Erie on 
the 27th day of June, 1810. 

During his pastorate of nine years, Mr. Stockton had 
charge of the Meadville Academy, and conducted it 
with ability and success. He was dismissed from the 
Presbytery of Erie on the 27th day of June, 1810, and 
soon after was received by the Presbytery of Redstone, 
from which he was transferred to that of Ohio, by act 
of Synod, October, 1822. 

In 1809, he was elected Principal of the Pittsburgh 
Academy, which was subsequently merged into the 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 193 

" Western University of Pennsylvania." In this posi- 
tion he continued to labor with great success until 1820. 
In connection with his labors in the Academy, he gave 
his attention to the preparation of school-books. He 
published during these years, " The Western Spelling- 
Book," and " The Western Calculator," both of which 
have been extensively used throughout the region west 
of the Alleghany Mountains. In addition to these edu- 
cational w T orks, he devoted much of his time to the 
preparation of a theological work, but his life was not 
spared for its completion. His scholarship was consid- 
erable, and he took a deep interest in the education of 
the young. In 1827, he was one of the instructors in 
the Western Theological Seminary. 

But his labors were not confined to the Academy, 
after removing to Pittsburgh. He still sought and em- 
braced opportunities of preaching the gospel, in the 
region around. He preached for a time to the soldiers 
at the United States garrison, two miles from the city, 
at what is now Lawrence ville. For several years he 
preached to the church of Pine Creek, at first devoting 
one third and afterwards one half of his time to this 
charge. Here his labors were greatly blessed to the 
ingathering of souls to the fold of Christ. At the time 
of his death, one hundred and thirty-six had been re- 
ceived on profession of faith. The remaining portion 
of his time was devoted to missionary labor, in connec- 
tion with the church in Alleghany City. The last three 
years of his life, his ministerial labors were wholly given 
to the Church of Pine Creek. During this period 
the town of Sharpsburg took its rise, and the popula- 
tion increasing, on petition from the people, the Pres- 
bytery of Ohio divided the congregation, forming a new 
one called Sharpsburg. 
13 



194 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Mr. Stockton was of the medium height, mild and 
pleasant in his manner, and was in every respect a most 
courteous Christian gentleman. He was always earnest 
in the defense of the truth. On one occasion, he met 
a gentleman who was skeptical in his views of divine 
truth. After laboring with him an entire evening in 
his attempts to convince him of his error, with little 
effect, the gentleman retired to his room. But Mr. 
Stockton was not satisfied and followed him to his 
room, and renewed the contest. " Admitting that you 
are right," he said, "when we pass to the world of 
spirits, I shall be as safe and well off as you. But if 
you are wrong, and I am right, you will be lost. Is not 
my ground then the safest?" The gentleman was 
forced to admit the soundness of the argument, and the 
untenable ground he had been occupying. 

But his work upon earth was done. The Master had 
nd longer need of his services, and he was called home 
to his reward. He was called suddenly to Baltimore, 
to see a son who was dangerously sick of fever, when 
he himself was attacked by cholera. After an illness, 
attended with extreme suffering, of twenty-four hours' 
continuance, he died, on the 29th day of October, 1832, 
in the fifty-fourth year of his age, and thirty-third of 
his ministry. 

Although called to leave the world suddenly, and 
surrounded by comparative strangers, he was calm and 
resigned. Having requested the fifteenth chapter of 
John to be read, and joining in prayer with a minis- 
terial brother, he remarked : " The battle is nearly 
fought — Christ is with me." He frequently expressed 
a longing desire to be released, and that the time might 
speedily come, when he should see Jesus face to face 
He frequently prayed, " Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, 



BIOGKAPHICAL. 195 

thy servant waits." Finally, sending his love to his wife 
and children, and an affectionate remembrance to his 
congregation and all his friends, he closed his eyes and 
passed to the other side, to look upon the face of God. 

He left a widow, four sons, and three daughters. His 
remains were laid to rest in the burial-grounds of the 
First Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, but in the year 
1858 were removed to the beautiful cemetery near 
Alleghany city. 

Mr. Stockton was one of the original members of the 
Presbytery of Erie, and for a period of nine years, one 
of its active and useful members. 

(5.) ROBERT LEE. 

1800-1842. 

Mr. Lee was one of the original members of the 
Presbytery of Erie. At the time of its organization, 
he was settled at Amity and Big Spring (afterwards 
Rocky Spring). He was the son of Thomas Lee, and 
was born in Donegal, Ireland, in the year 1771. In 
the year 1787, he emigrated to the United States with 
his father's family, and settled in Washington County, 
Pa. He was thus brought within the sphere of the 
influence of Cannonsburg. He remained at home, as- 
sisting in the maintenance of the family, until he was 
of age, when he commenced for himself the struggle 
with the w T orld, yet without any means save his own 
hands, and trusting only in Providence. 

It is not now known when he made a profession of 
religion ; yet in 1794, when he was in his twenty-third 
year, we find him commencing his studies, preparatory 
to the ministry, at the Cannonsburg Academy. He was 
prompted to this by the advice and persuasion of Dr. 



196 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

John McMillan. From Dr. McMillan he had also the 
promise of aid for his support, whilst engaged in study. 
Then commenced the great struggle with the world, and 
contact with the discouraging circumstances that always 
surround the student of limited means ; for although per- 
mitted to lean securely on the patronage of his friend, 
his independent spirit and sense of duty prompted him 
to lean on his own efforts. He had strong hands and a 
brave heart, and was habituated to manual labor. So he 
resolved to assist himself in every way possible. Accord- 
ingly he engaged in small contracts to perform labor 
where it was required, and even cleared at one time 
ten acres of land. To accomplish this without neglect- 
ing his studies, he was often obliged to work at night, 
fixing up his log heaps, and attending to his fires, when 
others were sleeping. 

After the completion of his classical studies, he 
studied theology under the direction of his patron, Dr. 
McMillan, and was taken under the care of the Pres- 
bytery of Ohio, as a candidate for the gospel ministry, 
December 17, 1799. After passing through all his 
trials, he was licensed to preach the gospel, by the same 
Presbytery, on the 22d day of October, 1800. 

After travelling through the vacancies as a mission- 
ary, he accepted calls from the congregations of Amity 
and Big Spring, to become their pastor, and was or- 
dained and installed on the 26th day of June, 1801. 
Here he continued to labor, under great discourage- 
ments, arising from a large field and a limited support, 
for about six years, when, on account of failing health, 
he asked the Presbytery to release him from his pasto- 
ral charge. The relation was dissolved, July 14, 1807. 
He remained, however, within the bounds of the Pres- 
bytery for five or six years, preaching in various 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 197 

churches as a stated supply. In 1810, he was supply- 
ing Slate Lick and Union. 

On the 7th day of April, 1813, he was dismissed from 
the Presbytery of Erie, and on the 20th day of the 
same month, was received by the Presbytery of Red- 
stone. In the bounds of this Presbytery, he accepted 
calls from the congregation of Salem, in Westmore- 
land County, Pa., and was installed as pastor on the 
second Tuesday of August, 1813. Here he remained 
as pastor until October 20, 1819. 

The West now began to attract his attention as a field 
of labor. He had a numerous family dependent upon 
him, and there was in the new field opening in northern 
Ohio, the prospect, not only of an interesting field of 
ministerial labor, but the way for the improvement of 
the worldly circumstances of his family. Accordingly, 
in November, 1821, he removed with his family to what 
is now Ashland County, Ohio. He was dismissed from 
the Presbytery of Redstone, April 17, 1822, and be- 
came connected with the Presbytery of Richland. In 
this new relation he became pastor of the congregation 
of Hopeful. This congregation afterwards became the 
congregation of Ashland. Here he labored for about 
four years. He then became the pastor of the Church 
of Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio, then under the care 
of Richland, but now Marion Presbytery. His pas- 
torate in this church continued many years, and with 
encouraging success. After retiring from this field, 
he took up his residence in Leesville, Crawford County, 
Ohio, where he exercised the duties of a minister in 
various vacant churches and missionary points, until the 
close of his earthly labors. Sometimes he acted under 
the direction of the Board of Domestic Missions, 
sometimes under that of the Presbytery, and sometimes 



198 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

he used his own discretion, preaching the gospel to the 
poor, and laboring wherever duty called. It was a sat- 
isfaction to him, that he was able to preach where Provi- 
dence opened the way, after retiring from the active 
duties of the pastorate. 

At the age of seventy-one, a few weeks before his 
death, he had arranged to engage in ministerial labors 
in a destitute section of the country, some twelve miles 
from the place of his residence. But the Master had 
ordered otherwise. The work and the self-denial and 
the warfare must now cease, and instead, the crown and 
the palm and the sweet golden harp. He died at Lees- 
ville, Ohio, on the 9th day of February, 1842, in the 
seventy-first year of his age, and the forty-first of his 
ministry. His last words were, " Lord Jesus, if it be 
thy will, come quickly, that I may be at rest." 

In January, 1800, Mr. Lee w T as united in marriage to 
Miss Sarah Swerngen, of Washington County, Pa., who 
survived him. In her youth she was a lady of great 
personal beauty, and throughout life a fitting helper to 
the pioneer missionary. Their family consisted of eight 
children. Four sons and one daughter are living, and 
are all members of the Presbyterian Church. Thus 
God remembers his children, and is the God of his peo- 
ple and of their families. 

In person, Mr. Lee was tall, slender, and dignified in 
appearance and deportment. He was mild and concil- 
iating, yet earnest in defense of the truth. One who 
knew him in youth and in old age, 1 says: "As a 
preacher, and in his address and manner, he was a fair 
model specimen of the ministers of the West, fifty or 
sixty years ago. He was firm in his belief of the doc- 
trines of the Bible as set forth in the standards of the 

1 Rev. James Rowland. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 199 

Presbyterian Church, of which he was the earnest ad- 
vocate, both in the pulpit and out of it. In the con- 
struction of his sermons, he never failed to present the 
leading points which he conceived to -be contained in 
his text, by naming the order in which he designed to 
discuss each. 

" In preaching, his enunciation was clear, distinct, 
impressive, strikingly sincere and solemn, as was also 
his manner. During the twenty years, the last of his 
ministerial life, in which he acted as a pioneer minister 
in the newly settled region of Northern Ohio, he aimed 
at doing all he could for the cause of Christ, and the 
good of souls. He was impeded, however, by an insuf- 
ficient support, which compelled him at times to labor 
with his own hands, for the support of himself and 
family." 

(6.) JAMES SATTEKFIELD. 

1800-1857. 

James Satterfield, the son of James and Mar- 
garet (Meed) Satterfield, was born in Queen Anne 
County, Maryland, in August, 1767. In his father's 
family there were four sons and two daughters. He 
was the fifth child. His father dying in Maryland, his 
mother married Mr. Davies, and moved to Washing- 
ton County, Pennsylvania, in 1786 or 1787, and settled 
on a farm. This brought him within the sphere of Dr. 
McMillan's influence, and in part accounts for the pur- 
suits of his subsequent life. He became a professor of 
religion in his fourteenth year. His convictions of sin 
were so powerful that they influenced his views of 
religious experience forever afterwards. 

He was a farmer in Washington County. One year 



200 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

he got his wheat ground, put it on board a flat-boat, and 
run it to New Orleans, then under Spanish dominion. 
The enterprise was a most profitable one, but attended 
with great peril. He then took a vessel and returned 
by sea to Baltimore, and from thence walked over the 
mountains home. This profitable venture, together 
with the atmosphere that surrounded Dr. McMillan's 
log-cabin, was, under God, the means of directing him 
to the ministry. He went to the Cannonsburg Acad- 
emy and pursued his studies there, in the meanwhile 
being one of the founders of the " Philo Literary So- 
ciety." He of course studied theology with Dr. McMil- 
lan, and was licensed to preach the gospel by the Pres- 
bytery of Ohio, on the 3d day of September, 1800. 
After his licensure, he was sent as a missionary to the 
Indians, and travelled as far west as Detroit. In 1801, 
he removed to Mercer County, and on the 3d day of 
March, 1802, was ordained and installed as pastor of the 
congregations of Moorfield, Pa., and Upper Neshan- 
nock, now Neshannock, Pa., by the Presbytery of Ohio. 

He was one of the original members of the Pres- 
bytery of Erie. In 1808, he was set off with others 
to form the Presbytery of Hartford, now Beaver. He 
was released from the charge of Neshannock, in the 
beginning of the year 1812, and from that of Moor- 
field in 1834 From 1812 to 1815, he had charge of the 
congregations of Brookfield, Ohio, in connection with 
Hubbard and Moorfield. He continued his connection 
with Hubbard, until April 6, 1831, and with Moorfield 
until he demitted all regular pastoral labor. 

During the last years of his life he had no regu- 
lar charge, but preached quite frequently to vacant 
churches, and assisted at communion occasions. He 
was always ready to preach the gospel and to bear his 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 201 

testimony for Christ. His remarks were always appro- 
priate and happy on communion occasions. 

He was a man of strong and robust constitution, and 
up to the last days of his life could mount a horse and 
ride to the place of worship. His last illness was brief. 
He complained of a sore throat after coming from 
church, and soon other unfavorable symptoms presented 
themselves. In his last act of family worship, he read 
the parable of the ten virgins, a favorite theme with 
him, and engaged in prayer. When informed by his 
physicians that he could not live, he replied, " My lamp 
is trimmed and burning." He was confined to his bed 
but three days. His death took place at the old home- 
stead, near Middlesex, Mercer County, Pa., on the 20th 
day of November, 1857, in the ninetieth year of his 
age, and the fifty-eighth of his ministry. 

Mr. Satterfield was thrice married. His first wife 
was Miss Polly Orbison of Washington County, to 
whom he was married October 28, 1800. She died 
July 23, 1802. 

On the 27th of March, 1804, he was married to Miss 
Ann Gibson, a member of the congregation of Ne- 
shannock. She died September 12, 1815, leaving five 
children, two sons and three daughters. 

His third marriage was with Miss Sarah Mead, a 
daughter of General Mead, of Meadville, Pa. This 
marriage took place September 3, 1816. She died 
May 22, 1823, leaving one son and one daughter. This 
son was Rev. Mead Satterfield, pastor of the churches 
of Harrisville and Amity, who died in 1855. , The 
daughter, Mrs. William Mathers, now resides at New 
Lisbon, Ohio. Besides the latter, two children by a 
former marriage still survive. 

As a preacher Mr. Satterfield was plain and practical. 



202 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Attempting no flights of fancy, his sermons were full 
of the marrow and fatness of the gospel. He was a 
most godly and exemplary man. The reputation he has 
left behind, is that of sterling integrity, unvarnished 
truth, and unblemished purity of heart and life. When 
a question of veracity would arise amongst the neigh- 
bors, it was a common remark to say, " It is just as 
true as though Clergy Satterfield had said it." This 
application " clergy," was one generally applied to him 
by his old neighbors. 

He was most emphatically a man of prayer. During 
the last years of his life, he was in the habit of rising 
early to engage in secret prayer. Indeed, his children 
say that he often spent the greater portion of the day 
in private prayer. He walked with God here, and 
could well say at the last, " the lamp is trimmed and 
ready." 

He was a systematic man. He always read the 
Scriptures in course, and as soon as he had read the 
last chapter of Revelation, commenced again at Gen- 
esis. 

On occasion of the death of his son Mead, he writes 
to his children : " When I see an old tree standing 
almost alone in the field, whose limbs have fallen off 
one after another, till almost all have fallen, it appears 
a fit emblem of my condition, and I sometimes wonder 
that the old stock does not tumble to the earth. What 
the allwise and gracious God intends by it, I know not 
now, but I am certain I shall know hereafter." 

He knows now, for he looks upon the face of God, 
and the lessons of life are all clear, and its mysteries 
all explained. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 203 

(7.) WILLIAM WYLIE, D. D. 

1800-1858. 

Mr. Wylie was one of the original members of the 
Presbytery of Erie. Although not mentioned in the 
act of the Synod of Virginia erecting the Presbytery, 
he was ordained by the Presbytery of Ohio, between 
this act and the time appointed for the first meeting of 
the Presbytery of Erie. His father was a native of 
Ireland, and a half brother of the Rev. Samuel Wylie, 
D. D., late of Philadelphia. At an early period his 
father removed to the West, and settled in Washington 
County, Pa. Here William Wylie was born on the 
10th day of July, 1776. His mother was a woman of 
piety and prayer, and her influence was most blessed on 
the young mind of her son. While quite young in 
years he became the subject of deep religious impres- 
sions, and devoted himself to the service of the Lord. 
Soon after this he turned his thoughts toward prepara- 
tion for the gospel ministry. After engaging for a time 
in study at home, he repaired to Washington, in his own 
county, to attend a Latin and Mathematical School, 
taught by Rev. Thaddeus Dodd. After this he went to 
Cannonsburg to attend the Academy in that place. Here 
he pursued his studies for some time. He was now 
induced to go to the State of Kentucky, with the view 
of teaching to replenish his treasury, and at the same 
time continuing his studies as opportunity might offer. 
In this new State, he remained for a number of years, 
completing his classical studies, and engaging in theo- 
logical study, until in due time he was licensed to preach 
the gospel by the Presbytery of West Lexington. 

Soon after this, and during the year 1800, he returned 



204 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

to his home in Western Pennsylvania, and began to 
itinerate within the bounds of the Presbytery of Ohio, 
extending at that time from the Ohio River to Lake 
Erie. He was received by the Presbytery of Ohio as a 
licentiate from the Presbytery of West Lexington, on 
the 2d day of March, 1802, received calls from the 
congregations of Upper and Lower Sandy, 1 and Fair- 
field, accepted the same, and was ordained and installed 
their pastor on the 5th of the same month. At the 
same meeting he, with six other members of Presbytery, 
were dismissed to constitute the new Presbytery of Erie. 

Mr. Wylie's field was a large one, requiring great 
labor in pastoral visitation, and his salary but slen- 
der, even for those times. Failure of health, and dis- 
couragement in his labor, induced him to think of 
seeking a new field. Although his pastorate had been 
one of usefulness and success, yet there were causes 
that led to the conviction that the path of duty led else- 
where. Accordingly at a meeting of Presbytery, held 
December 5, 1804, he asked for the dissolution of the 
pastoral relation. The reasons given were, " That said 
congregations had not fulfilled their contracts with him ; 
that he could not have a support from them for his fam- 
ily ; and that considering the weak state of his bodily 
health, he considered it to be his duty to leave them." 
The congregations were heard at full length, w r hen 
Presbytery granted his request and the pastoral relation 
was dissolved. At the same meeting he received a dis- 
mission from the Presbytery, to connect himself with 
the Presbytery of Redstone. 

On the 6th day of February, 1805, he was received as 
a member of the Presbytery of Redstone, and accepted 
calls to the pastoral charge of the congregations of 

1 Now Georgetown and Mill Creek. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 205 

Rehoboth and Round Hill. His ministry in these 
churches continued for about eleven years, with a com- 
fortable degree of success. The congregations had, 
some years before, passed through a season of revival, 
and a reaction had taken place, throwing many obsta- 
cles in his way. Many had been received into the 
churches, as is usually the case at such times, who had 
no root in themselves, and soon withered away ; and 
the great Adversary threw the apple of discord into the 
congregations, and troubled the camp. 

In the spring of 1816, Mr. Wylie asked the Presby- 
tery to dismiss him from his united charge, when he 
removed to Uniontown, the county-seat of Fayette 
County. At this time there was no actual church or- 
ganization in Uniontown. The members of the Pres- 
byterian Church were considered as belonging either 
to Laurel Hill or Tent churches, which had been organ- 
ized in the vicinity. And during Mr. Wylie's period of 
labor there, there was no organization formed. The 
Tent Church was considered as embracing the town 
wdthin its borders. 

During his ministry, Mr. Wylie preached both in the 
Tent Church and in town, and administered the ordi- 
nances in both places. The elders lived in the coun- 
try, but met as a session in both places, as it proved 
to be convenient and necessary. In this way the entire 
charge came naturally to be known as the congregation 
of Uniontown. 1 It was only after the lapse of two 
years from Mr. Wylie's departure from Uniontown, that 
a separate congregation was organized. 

In Uniontown the labors of Mr. Wylie were eminently 
blessed. The state of religion when he came there was 
not only languishing, but there was much opposition to 

1 Dr. Joseph Smith. 



206 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

religion itself. There was a practical infidelity abroad, 
especially amongst professional men, that was exercis- 
ing a most baleful influence upon the young men of the 
community. The influence of Mr. Wylie was most 
beneficial in removing this influence, and introducing 
a more hopeful spirit in its stead. This very class of 
men rallied around him and made his cause their own. 
Many of them became members of his Bible-class, and 
eventually of the church. The tide of religious influ- 
ence set in strongly, and there was an entire change in 
the prevailing feeling and practice. He preached in 
the orchards and groves, and sometimes in the Court- 
house, and wrought so zealously and faithfully, that 
when he left the place there were the elements out of 
which a strong and growing church was organized 

From Uniontown he removed in 1823, and took up 
his abode in Wheeling, Va. Here he became a mem- 
ber of the Presbytery of Washington, being received 
October 9, 1823. By this Presbytery he is reported 
for many years as stated supply at Wheeling and Short 
Creek, or West Liberty. The state of affairs at 
Wheeling was not favorable to successful labor. It was 
then but a small town, with two ministers laboring in 
common, in town and country. Congregations are not 
perfect, ministers are not infallible. Stars become pale 
before the rising sun. So, although there was a very 
strong influence exerted to induce Mr. Wylie to re- 
main, he deemed it his duty to retire from the field. 

On the 2d day of October, 1832, he was dismissed to 
connect himself with the Presbytery of Lancaster, now 
called Zanesville. Here he accepted a call to Newark, 
Licking County, Ohio. In this place he continued to 
labor during the remainder of his pastoral life. He 
was a useful man here, not only to the general cause of 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 207 

religion, but to that of Presbyterianism. In fact he had 
that peculiar faculty of making his impression deeply 
and broadly upon every community in the midst of 
which he had his abode. And this impression was 
always on the side of truth and righteousness. 

In 1854, at his own request, he was dismissed from 
the pastoral charge of the church of Newark, although 
he did not remove from the place. The infirmities of 
age were upon him, and he felt it his duty to retire and 
give place for a younger and more vigorous pastor. 

Mr., now Dr. 1 Wylie, was twice married. His first 
wife was the fourth daughter of Rev. Joseph Smith, of 
Redstone Presbytery, and so famous in its annals. At 
the age of ten she was received into the church ; and 
after a life of earnest, consistent piety, fell asleep in 
Jesus, some years after her husband commenced his 
labors in Newark. 

From this marriage there were five daughters and 
one son. The son, the late Rev. Joseph S. Wylie, after 
a ministry of usefulness and success, died in Florence, 
Pa. His second wife was a widow lady, Mrs. Moody, 
like himself, with a large family. She was from Port- 
land, Me., and had been a member of Dr. Pay son's 
church. This second marriage proved eminently a 
happy one, and added greatly to Dr. Wylie's comfort 
and happiness. 

In the fall of 1854, Dr. Wylie went for a time to Port 
Gibson, Mississippi. Although this was chiefly for the 
benefit of Mrs. Wylie's health, yet while there she was 
attacked by another form of disease, and died a peace- 
ful and happy death. This bereavement was a most 
distressing one to Dr. Wylie. He felt alone in his old 
age, and was well-nigh crushed beneath the blow. 

1 Received the degree of D. D. in 1850, from Muskingum College. 



208 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

In the following spring he returned north, and took 
up his abode in Wheeling, where he continued to reside 
until called to join the church triumphant. Just before 
leaving Mississippi, he had fallen and fractured the bone 
of his thigh, which rendered him a hopeless cripple for 
the remainder of his life. He was, while residing in 
Wheeling, frequently carried to different churches, 
where he preached in a sitting posture, and to the sat- 
isfaction and edification of his hearers. 

Although his afflictions were severe during the last 
years of his life, yet he bore them with exemplary pa- 
tience and resignation to the Divine will. As the time 
of his departure approached, his faith and hope were 
sensibly brightened. He felt the peace of God flowing 
into his soul like a river, and longed to enter the rest 
and peace of the Good Land. The time for which he 
had watched and waited so patiently, came at last. It 
was on a Saturday morning, in the sweet month of 
May, that he was called to go up and spend the eternal 
Sabbath on Mount Zion. His death took place on the 
9th day of May, 1858, just before he had completed his 
eighty-second year. 

As a preacher, Dr. Wylie stood deservedly high 
amongst his contemporaries. He was a man of more 
than usual ability. Indeed, in his power of body and 
mind, he had few rivals in the faculty of stirring the 
deep emotions of the heart, and leading the minds of 
his audience captive to his subject. An eminent min- 
ister in New York testifies to his power of eloquence in 
these words : " He was preaching at Chartiers, on the 
text, ' Now have they both seen and hated both me and 
my father.' Now I have heard, within the last ten 
years, almost all our great preachers, of all denomina- 
tions, but never, to this hour, have I heard a sermon 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 209 

comparable to that of Dr. Wylie, for overpowering 
grandeur and awful sublimity. 

Says Dr. Joseph Smith, his relative, and perhaps bet- 
ter acquainted with his inner life than any other par- 
son : " His tall stature, his peculiarly solemn and ex- 
pressive features and tones of voice, his perfectly 
inimitable tenderness and pathos, mingled with great 
personal dignity, gave him unwonted power. The fer- 
tility of his mind, and the rich exuberance of his 
thoughts, seemed, at times, to indicate an exhaustless 
fountain of truth and pious affections within. If any 
other public speaker ever rose higher in his wonderful 
flights, we can form no conception of it." 

Dr. Wylie was eminently a social man. He excelled 
as a talker. In this most difficult and rare accom- 
plishment, he shone preeminently ; still he had a seri- 
ous fault in the matter of conversation — he monopo- 
lized the entire time. Others were generally content 
to sit by and listen, and be amused and instructed and 
edified, as the case might be, by his exuberant flow of 
words and often sparkling scintillations of thought. 
Perhaps his chief fault in speaking and preaching and 
praying was indulging in strong figures and swelling 
hyperboles, so that there was too great a strain upon 
the minds of the hearers in following him. He did not 
excel in simplicity and plainness. 

His piety was sincere and earnest. It was of the 
heart and outward life. It was the secret spring of 
action, always operative, always effectual in toning down 
the asperities of his nature, and impelling him to con- 
stant effort in labor and zeal in building up the king- 
dom of Christ. 

His influence in the community where he lived was 
most valuable. He was a great leader of public opin- 
14 



210 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

ion, and moulded it to his own views and convictions of 
right. Before him, vice in every form stood abashed. 
The most wicked and profane respected and reverenced 
him for his truth and goodness. But with all his calm 
dignity and solemn presence, there was nothing haughty 
or repulsive about him. Children were attracted to 
him by a kind of magnetism, that they alone understand 
and appreciate. 

He was a kind, sympathizing pastor. In the time of 
affliction and distress and bereavement, he was a min- 
istering spirit of kindness and sympathy, pointing to the 
sweet promises of the gospel, and pleading God's great 
mercy and faithfulness and love. 

His correspondence shows that he was a man of 
prayer, and lived near to God ; and that there was a 
gradual ripening for heaven, as well as a longing de- 
sire for its blessed rest. 

The following extract of a letter from Rev. Dr. 
Weed to Rev. Dr. Joseph Smith, sheds light on the 
closing days of his life : — 

1. " He spoke little of his ailments, but much of the 
love of God, and of the ineffable consolations flowing 
from the riches of Divine grace, abounding to the chief 
of sinners. 

2. " His expressions were habitually characterized by 
a childlike humility, and a filial confidence in God as 
his Father and Redeemer. He seemed to enjoy the 
grace of assurance in a high degree, and without inter- 
mission. 

3. " He was favored with most exalted views of the 
infinite perfections of God, and the transcendent glory 
of the Lord Jesus Christ. These were the favorite and 
absorbing themes of his discourse. 

4. " The gospel was confirmed in his experience as a 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 211 

manifestation of the mercy of God. It made him, in 
despite of all things else to the contrary, eminently a 
happy man, and a joyful sufferer. No one could be 
long in his presence without feeling the demonstration 
of the divinity of the Christian religion. 

ki Finally, his case was a practical refutation of the 
charge so often reiterated — that Calvinistic views of 
theology are adverse to cheerful and joyous experience, 
that they sour the heart and overhang the mind with 
gloom. Yet these were thoroughly his views, and it was 
from these he derived his richest and sweetest enjoy- 
ments. I will only add, that he seemed to us all as 
verily 4 a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of 
faith.' " 

(8.) JOHN BOYD. 

1801-1816. 

John Boyd was the son of John and Mary (Fulton) 
Boyd, and was born in Ireland, in the year 1768. His 
parents emigrated to this country in the year 1772, and 
having settled in the bounds of Salem, Westmoreland 
County, Pa., his father became a ruling elder in that 
church. His was a priestly family, having no less than 
four sons in the gospel ministry — John, Abraham (9), 
Benjamin (17), and James (21). The eldest two were 
born in Ireland, the younger two in this country. But 
little is known of the early life of John Boyd. No 
doubt he worked patiently on the farm during his first 
years, and was content with what Providence sent him. 
His studies were pursued under the direction of John 
McPherrin (16), who was his pastor. How long these 
studies were prosecuted is not known. He was licensed 
to preach the gospel, by the Presbytery of Redstone, 
on the 23d day of April, 1801. For one year he 



212 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

preached as a licentiate, most probably within what was 
soon to be the bounds of the Presbytery of Erie. 

At the first meeting of the Presbytery of Erie, held 
on the 13th of April, 1802, he presented a dismission 
from the Presbytery of Redstone, and was taken under 
the care of the new Presbytery. He had already ac- 
cepted calls from the congregations of Slate Lick and 
Union, in what is now Armstrong County, Pa. John 
vi. 53, was assigned him as a subject for a trial sermon 
in view of ordination. His brother Abraham was re- 
ceived under the care of Presbytery at the same time. 

Mr. Boyd's ordination took place at Union, on the 
16th day of June, 1802. In the ordination exercises, 
William Wick (2), preached the sermon from 2 Corin- 
thians iv. 5, and Samuel Tait (3), delivered the charges. 
This pastoral relation continued until April 17, 1810, 
when, at his own request, he was relieved. 

At the meeting of the General Assembly, in May, 
1809, there occurs this record in the report of the Com- 
mittee on Missions, in the recommendation of the ap- 
pointment of missionaries, " The Rev. John Boyd, a 
missionary for two months on the head-waters of Alle- 
ghany, and the borders of Lake Erie." 

For a short time, Mr. Boyd supplied the churches of 
Amity and West Liberty, but his health having failed, 
he felt constrained to seek some more favorable loca- 
tion, and was accordingly dismissed from the Presby- 
tery of Erie to that of Lancaster (now Zanesville), on 
the 4th day of October, 1810. Shortly after this he 
was preaching at Wills Creek, in the southeastern part 
of the State of Ohio. Afterwards he became pastor of 
the churches of Red Oak and Strait Creek, in the 
bounds of the Presbytery of Chilicothe. It is said that 
the cause of his leaving these churches, was a difficulty 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 213 

that grew out of the " Sunday Mail " question. He 
signed a petition for, and advocated the cause of, stop- 
ping the mails on the Sabbath. For this, he was 
branded by some of his elders and people as a traitor. 

He next settled as the first pastor of the church of 
Bethel, in the Presbytery of Oxford, and was said to be 
the first Presbyterian preacher west of the Miami 
River. But his ministry here was brief. Five months 
after his settlement, he was attacked by bilious fever, 
and died at Indian Creek, near Hamilton, Ohio, on the 
20th day of August, 1816, in the forty-eighth year of 
his age, and the sixteenth of his ministry. " Just be- 
fore his departure," says a writer in the " Weekly Re- 
corder," " he was blessed with a transporting view of 
the excellence of the gospel." His remains lie at rest 
in the grave-yard of the Bethel Church. On the Sab- 
bath evening, just before his departure, some of his 
neighbors having gathered in to see him, he raised up 
on his couch and thus addressed them : " I have been 
in congregations where I was afraid to preach Christ, 
but if all the world were here, I would speak to them 
of the preciousness of the gospel, and the ability and 
willingness of Christ to save all who come to him." 

Mr. Boyd left a widow and eight children, four sons 
and four daughters. His widow died, October 12, 
1840. His eldest son James died in his twenty-sixth 
year, just as he was about entering the ministry. 

(9.) ABRAHAM BOYD. 

1800-1854. 

This was the second son of John and Mary (Fulton) 
Boyd, and was likewise born in Ireland, in December, 
1770. He was but three years of age when his parents 



214 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

emigrated to this country. Id connection with this emi- 
gration, he frequently related the following circumstance, 
related by his father, as illustrating the particular provi- 
dence of God towards his children : When about leav- 
ing Ireland for America, having reached the port from 
which they were to sail, it was discovered that the two 
little sons, John and Abraham, had the small-pox. The 
officers of the ship refused to receive them on board, 
and sailed without them. The ship foundered at sea. 
The Boyd family took the next vessel and arrived in 
safety. 

Abraham Boyd pursued his studies at the Cannons- 
burg Academy, and was licensed to preach the gospel 
on the 25th day of June, 1800, by the Presbytery of 
Ohio. He was received by the Presbytery of Erie at 
its first meeting, April 13, 1802, and having accepted 
calls from the congregations of Bull Creek and Middle- 
sex, in Armstrong County, Pa., he was assigned James 
iv. 17, as the subject of a sermon as part of trials for 
ordination. This service took place at Bull Creek, on 
the 17th of June, 1802. Rev. John McMillan, being 
present as a corresponding member of Presbytery, 
preached on the occasion, on Mark xvi. 15, 16, and de- 
livered the charges. This relation continued at Mid- 
dlesex until 1817, and Bull Creek until June 25, 1833. 
After leaving Middlesex, he gave half his time to Deer 
Creek, from 1817 to 1821. 

An anecdote of Mr. Boyd is related in connection 
with his early ministry. He was passing through the 
woods on the Sabbath, on his way to preach. In the 
depth of the forest he encountered an Indian tricked 
out in his feathers and war paint. He saw that he was 
observed, and to flee would be in vain, so he knelt down 
at the roots of a large tree, and in full view of the sav- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 215 

age, and began to pray, expecting each moment to be 
pierced by an arrow. When he arose from his knees, 
the Indian had departed, and he was safe. 1 

Mr. Boyd lived to a good old age, residing upon his 
farm, preaching the gospel when able, until the close of 
his life. His death took place on his farm, near Taren- 
tum, Pa., on the 14th day of August, 1854, in the eighty- 
fourth year of his age, and the fifty-fifth of his minis- 
try. The day previous to his death, he sent for his 
only surviving sister, saying that he expected soon to 
die, and wished to see her. She came the same even- 
ing. He was in his usual health, although he had been 
declining for some time. The next morning, appearing 
as well as usual, he attended to family worship, select- 
ing from Watts'* Version, Psalm 39, - d part — 
" God of my life look gently down," etc., 

and sung with a cheerful voice throughout. In half an 
hour from this time, as he sat conversing with his sister, 
he received a stroke of paralysis and never spoke after- 
ward. He died the following night. 

Mr. Boyd was twice married. His first wife was 
Eleanor Hallis, of Washington County, Pa. The mar- 
riage took place March 29, 1798. By her he had 
nine children, six daughters and three sons. Mrs. Boyd 
died in the year 1816. In the next year, he married 
Mrs. Scott. By her he had three children, two daugh- 
ters and one son. The second Mrs. Boyd died in 1848. 

Mr. Boyd was a plain, practical man. His aspirations 
were simple and limited to the one great matter — 
preaching the gospel of Christ, and recommending it to 
his people. Like nearly all of the pioneer ministers, 
he labored on the farm as well as in preaching the gos- 
pel. There were two reasons for this: the people 

i Rev. R. Lea. 



216 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

were poor and could not raise a sufficient salary for 
their ministers, and in the early days land was cheap 
and easily obtained. 

Mr. Boyd was a spiritually minded man, an earnest 
preacher, and a strict disciplinarian. He was also a 
man of great power in prayer, and seemed to grow in 
grace as he grew in years. 

(10.) WILLIAM WOOD. 
1801-1839. 

William Wood, son of Samuel and Isabella (San- 
key) Wood, was born in York County, Pa., on the 27th 
day of March, 1776. Samuel Wood, his father, was 
born in London, England, in 1749, came to America 
in 1768, and married Mrs. Isabella Sankey, in York 
County, Pa. He died in Butler County, in 1817, leav- 
ing four children, William, Samuel, Benjamin, and Isa- 
bella. Of these, the subject of this sketch was the 
oldest. Of his early life little is at present known. In 
due course of time we find him at the Cannonsburg 
Academy, enjoying what advantages he might obtain 
there. And then, as a matter of course, he is soon 
seeking Dr. McMillan's log-cabin, and studying theol- 
ogy. From the scanty library, and the doctor's lec- 
tures, he is seeking furniture for the great work. No 
doubt, with others he copied, with patient labor and 
pains, those lectures that were the theological library 
of so many of the earlier ministers of the West, and 
which contained the very marrow of divinity. Many of 
those old manuscript systems have come down to our 
day and are worthy of being read, not only by the the- 
ological student, but by the pastor of years. 

Mr. Wood was received by the Presbytery of Ohio 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 217 

as a candidate for the gospel ministry, on the 26th day 
of December, 1800, and on the 29th day of October, 
1801, licensed to preach the gospel. The field was 
large ; the harvest inviting, and the call for laborers 
earnest; and having spent the winter amongst the 
vacant churches and missionary points, he was dis- 
missed to put himself under the care of the Presby- 
tery of Erie. By this Presbytery he was received on 
the 20th day of April, 1802. Having accepted calls 
from the congregations of Plaingrove and Center, in 
Mercer County, he was ordained and installed pastor 
over these churches at a meeting of Presbytery held at 
Plaingrove, on the 3d day of November, 1802. The 
trial discourse was on Titus ii. 11, 12. Rev. Robert 
Lee (5) preached on the occasion, on Mark xvi. 15, 16, 
and Dr. McMillan, a member of the Presbytery of 
Ohio, who was present as a corresponding member, pre- 
sided and delivered the charges. 

In these churches Mr. Wood labored earnestly. He 
was dismissed from the charge of Center on the 24th 
day of August, 1808, after a pastorate of six years, and 
from that of Plaingrove on the 7th day of October, 
1816, after a pastorate of fourteen years. These pas- 
torates terminated his labors in the Presbytery of Erie. 

On the 1st day of April, 1817, he was dismissed to 
the Presbytery of Hartford (Beaver), being prepared 
to accept calls from the congregations of Hopewell and 
Neshannock. Over these churches he was installed 
pastor on the 22d day of October, 1817. At Hopewell 
he labored for eleven years, being dismissed on the 25th 
day of June, 1828. 

Mr. Wood died at Utica, Licking County, Ohio, on 
the 31st day of July, 1839, in the sixty-fourth year of 
his age, and the thirty-ninth of his ministry. He was 



218 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

a man of more than ordinary ability, and in many a 
more favorable sphere of labor would have shone as a 
preacher ; but poverty and untoward circumstances 
kept him down, and his light was buried up in compar- 
ative obscurity. He was united in marriage to Miss 
Margaret Donald, of Washington County, Pa., May 17, 
1798. They had twelve children, two of whom were 
physicians, the elder, John D., settled in Franklin, Pa., 
the younger in Pulaski, Pa., both now deceased. Mrs. 
Wood died at Utica, Ohio, April 20, 1843. 

(11.) JOSEPH BADGER. 

1786-1846. 

The name of Joseph Badger will long be. remem- 
bered in Eastern Ohio. He was the great missionary 
of the Western Reserve, and one of the pioneers to 
regions further west. He was a most remarkable man, 
eminently a man for the times in which he lived. God 
chose him in the furnace of affliction, and prepared 
him as he did Israel, by wandering in the desert, for the 
great work that was before him. 

Joseph Badger was born in Wilbraham, Mass., on 
the 28th day of February, 1757. He was the son of 
Henry and Mary (Langdon) Badger, and a descendant, 
in the fourth feneration, of Giles Badger, who emi- 
grated from England about the year 1635. 1 His pa- 
rents were pious, and their son was carefully educated 
at the fireside in the principles of religion. Here, no 
doubt, the seed was sown, that having lain for a long 
time dormant, eventually germinated and produced a 
bountiful harvest. 

When he was nine years of age, his parents removed 

1 Sprague's Annals, iii. 473. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 219 

to Berkshire County, Mass., a place at that time without 
schools or other means of intellectual culture, and so 
most unfavorable to the mental culture of the future 
pioneer missionary. The straitened circumstances of 
his parents too, induced the necessity of labor and 
toil; yet withal his natural genius was stimulated to 
invention, and the way was opened for a preparation 
most useful to him in after life. 

At the age of eighteen he entered the army, just three 
weeks after the battle of Lexington, and received his 
first lessons in military life. His whole life was to be 
one of service. During his first two years, he was an 
attendant upon the chaplain of his regiment. He was 
present at the battle of Bunker Hill, and afterward for 
some time with General Arnold in Canada. In this 
campaign he served as usual in divers capacities. In 
the hospitals he was an excellent nurse ; in the commis- 
sary department he was an accomplished baker ; when 
the master of transportation required it, he could re- 
pair the broken wagons, and when the noise and shock 
of battle prevailed, he could handle the musket with 
energy and precision. In this service he was attacked 
with small-pox, and afterwards with chills and fever, yet 
through all his exposures and dangers he was merci- 
fully preserved. 

In two years from the period of his enlistment, he 
was discharged and returned to his friends. Here he 
found an expedition organizing to pursue the British 
troops that had two days before destroyed Danbury. Of 
course young Badger joined this expedition, and par- 
ticipated in two sharp engagements, when he returned 
to his friends. Shortly after this he enlisted again, 
and was appointed orderly sergeant. At the expira- 
tion of his term, he found that the two hundred dollars 



220 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

of Continental money that he had saved was so depre- 
ciated that it would not buy him a suit of clothes. 1 But 
this did not distress him. He at once engaged in 
weaving, continuing the business until he had woven 
sixteen hundred yards of cloth. 

His mind now thirsted for knowledge, and he deter- 
mined to spend some time in the acquisition of the 
elementary branches of study, spelling, writing, and 
arithmetic, intending afterward to return to the army. 

There were no schools in the neighborhood, and he 
put himself under the instruction of Rev. Jeremiah 
Day, father of President Day of Yale College, and 
entered his family as a boarder. He studied during 
the winter, and resorted to the loom in the spring to 
recruit his exhausted finances. 

But a change came over his mind here that had a 
most important influence on his future plans. His mind 
became deeply impressed with religious truth. There 
was no great distress or excitement, but a gradual 
change, that seemed to operate upon his heart, until he 
believed he had experienced a thorough change of 
heart. The light was faint at first, but continued to 
increase until his soul was filled with peace. 

All thoughts of returning to the army were aban- 
doned, and having made a profession of religion in the 
church of his patron, he entered upon a course of study 
preparatory to entering college. His progress was slow, 
and although well-nigh discouraged by the narrowness 
of his means, he yet persevered, sometimes weaving, 
and sometimes engaged in teaching school. " Yet 
still," he says, " I dug away like a miner after gold." 

With frequent interruptions from sickness, and labor- 
ing for his livelihood, he at length entered Yale Col- 

1 Gillett's History, ii. 132. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 221 

lege in 1781, as a Freshman. During his first term 
he taught a singing school, and was so much discour- 
aged that he notified President Stiles that he would be 
obliged to leave college. "O no, Badger," was his 
reply, " you must not leave. You may go and teach, 
study and earn, and pay your bills as well as you can." 

So the earnest, patient man struggled on. Some- 
times he taught school. Sometimes he rung the Col- 
lege bell, and performed other labors about the Hall 
until his Senior year. During this year he constructed 
a planetarium, that cost him three months' labor, and 
for which the College authorities gave him an order on 
the steward for one hundred dollars. He was gradu- 
ated in the fall of 1783. 

The next year he taught a school, and studied theol- 
ogy under the venerable Rev. Mark Leavenworth, and 
in due course was licensed to preach the gospel by the 
New Haven Association. During the next winter he 
supplied the church of Plymouth, Conn. On the 24th 
day of October, 1787, he was ordained pastor of the 
church of Blandford, Conn. He was pastor of this 
church thirteen years, and was dismissed October 24, 
1800, to accept the commission of the Connecticut Mis- 
sionary Society, to labor as a missionary in the Western 
Reserve of Ohio, or New Connecticut, as it was then 
called. 

He set out on his westward journey on the 15th day 
of November, alone and on horseback. He was some- 
times detained for days by the rain and snow. His 
progress was slow, from the badness of the roads, 
which, as he approached the close of his journey, were 
mere bridle-paths, and for nearly two hundred miles 
he was obliged to lead his horse. He was obliged to 
swim the Mahoning River in Ohio, but at length 



222 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

reached Youngstown, and found a hospitable reception 
with the Presbyterian pastor, Rev. William Wick 1 (2). 

Here commenced a series of labors leading him in 
every direction, where the cabin of a settler was to be 
sought, or where a path was to be found through the 
woods. The winter was spent in the southern part of 
the Reserve ; but in the spring he extended his travels 
east as far as Hudson, thence north to Cleveland. By 
request of the Presbytery of Ohio, he went in company 
with Rev. Thomas Edgar Hughes (1), as far as Mau- 
mee and Detroit, to consider the propriety of establish- 
ing a mission amongst the Indians. In this expedition 
he was accompanied by George Blue Jacket, the son of 
an Indian chief. 2 On his way he preached to the Dela- 
wares, through an interpreter. On his journey home- 
ward, he suffered great hardships. Exposure and 
privation had reduced him to such a condition that he 
could hardly cling to his horse. Taking calomel one 
day and an emetic the next for five days in succession, 
he was finally so much reduced that he could not mount 
his horse without assistance. Still he pushed onward, 
and at length reached Hudson, Ohio, having subsisted 
for two days on chestnuts. 

Having been absent from New England about a 
year, he returned to Connecticut. On his journey home- 
ward he was taken ill at Buffalo, N. Y., with fever, and 
reduced to the very borders of the grave. From this 
he recovered partially, and after other attacks at length 
reached his home and family. Here he made a report 
of his missionary operations to the Board, and made 
arrangements for removing his family to the Western 
Reserve. 

This journey was commenced on the 23d day of 

1 Gillette History ii. 134. 2 Dr. Elliott. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 223 

February, 1802. It was a most unseasonable period to 
undertake a journey of four or five hundred miles. 
Yet it was undertaken in faith and hope. The outfit 
w^as a four-horse wagon, in which were stowed his wife 
and six children, together with their household effects. 
Soon the missionary family encountered snow, that in- 
creased in depth until his wagon wheels became solid 
with snow and mud, and they were fain to construct a 
rude sled, on which the wheels were laid, having been 
taken from the axles, and upon these the wagon body 
was placed and the journey resumed. At Troy, N. Y., 
the snow failed, the sled was discarded, and the wagon 
restored to its original condition. But the mud was 
fearful. Onward the noble horses toiled, one accident 
after another happened, until finally the forward axle- 
tree broke, bringing them to an unwilling halt. There 
was no wagon-maker near, nor any other mechanic that 
was available. So remembering his war experience, he 
collected what tools were at hand, procured a piece of 
timber, and made a new axle with his own hands. His 
next accident was the breaking of his king-bolt, re- 
placed at an expense of two dollars. He reached Aus- 
tenburg, Ohio, at length, after a journey of two months. 
Here he had organized a church during his first tour, 
October 1, 1801, consisting of eight male and six 
female members. 

At this place, he prepared to pitch his tent. He 
built a rude cabin of logs, found sufficient flooring for 
it to spread their Connecticut beds furnished by good 
mother Noble, but without table or chairs, or even a 
door or chinking between the loss. 

But the missionary had not come to finish off houses 
or seek personal comfort, but to preach the gospel to 
those that were beyond. So he left his family to plant 



224 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

the garden and the corn-field, and set out on a mission- 
ary tour that continued three months, when he returned 
home. These missionary tours continued with little 
cessation until April, 1803. It was on April 13, 1803, 
that Mr. Badger became a member of the Presbytery 
of Erie. The minutes of the Presbytery would indi- 
cate that he was received as a Congregational minister. 
The minute is to this effect : " Rev. Joseph Badger, a 
missionary from Connecticut, having expressed a desire 
to join this Presbytery, and having given satisfaction of 
his regular standing in the body to which he formerly 
belonged, was received, but still retains his privilege 
of riding under the direction of the Connecticut Mis- 
sionary Society." x 

He is seldom found at meetings of Presbytery, during 
the six years he continued a member. His time was 
taken up in his missionary tours, and he depended on 
his brethren to take care of the interests of the church 
at home. 

About this time, a letter was received from the Mis- 
sionary Board in Connecticut, informing him that his 
salary was reduced to six dollars per week. At this 
Mr. Badger felt greatly aggrieved. His whole time 
was devoted to his missionary work, and even with this 
small pittance he could hardly live. He wrote repeat- 
edly to the Home Board, reasoning and remonstrating 
against a policy that he denominated " injudicious and 
oppressive." Still he continued to labor on. A most 
blessed revival had been in progress for months where 
he was laboring, and although his family was actually 
suffering for many of the necessaries of life, he could 
not abandon the field. 

The Connecticut Missionary Society have the follow- 

1 Min. Erie Pres. i. 12. 



HH 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 225 

ing endorsement in their report for the year 1804 : 
" Mr. Badger has endured great hardships in riding in 
stormy and severe weather, and in fording rivers. It 
appears from his journal, that he travels in that rough, 
and in some places, almost pathless country, nearly sev- 
enteen hundred miles a year ; and that he preaches one 
hundred and forty or fifty sermons. He attends many 
conferences and meetings for prayer, catechizes the 
children, and is abundant in family visits." l 

His patience having become exhausted, he resigned 
his commission from the Connecticut Missionary So- 
ciety, and accepted one from the " Western Missionary 
Society," located at Pittsburgh, Pa., as a missionary to 
the Indians. This change took place in January, 1806. 
In this work he labored amongst the Wyandotte In- 
dians, in the region of Sandusky, Ohio, for about four 
years. In the autumn of 1807, he removed his family 
to Sandusky, but on account of the unhealthiness of the 
climate, moved back the following year. At the close 
of the year 1809, he made a journey to Boston, where 
he collected nearly eleven hundred dollars in aid of his 
mission. Returning, he resumed his labors amongst 
the Indians, spending his time away from his family, 
and heroically devoting himself to his great work. Dur- 
ing one of these absences, he heard of the death of a 
beloved daughter. Of her he makes this testimony : 
ft The Lord gave her to us, and continued her a com- 
fortable child, until she was ripe for heaven. We have 
reason to believe that she has, through the righteous- 
ness of the Redeemer, made a happy change." 2 

Soon after this bereavement, he received a letter 
from his wife, informing him that their house had been 
burned, with nearly all its contents. He immediately 

l Evan. Intel vol. i. 497. 2 Ibid. vol. iii. 387. 

15 



226 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

hastened home, went to work, and with the assistance 
of the neighbors, erected another cabin, and placing his 
family in it, turned his face to the wilderness once 
more. 

Having resigned his commission to the Western 
Board, he removed, in the spring of 1810, to Ashtabula, 
Ohio, with his family. Here and in the neighboring 
settlements he preached, deriving his support in part 
from the people and in part from the Massachusetts 
Missionary Society. 

During the war of 1812, he was a soldier once more, 
in which his versatile talent was brought into active ex- 
ercise. His connection with the army seems to have 
been providential, and without his own active agency. 
Perkins' brigade had been ordered westward to protect 
the western frontier. Many of his congregation were 
in the ranks, and some of them sick. Mr. Badger vis- 
ited them in the camp, and without his own knowledge 
or solicitation, he was appointed brigade chaplain, and 
postmaster of the army by General Harrison. He ac- 
cepted this appointment as a call to duty, and remained 
with the army until spring. During the winter he 
piloted the army across the country to Lower Sandusky, 
and went with it to Maumee, from which place he re- 
turned to his family in March, 1813. 

Mr. Badger continued to preach in various places, 
without any regular support, until 1826, when, feeling 
the infirmities of age coming upon him, with a straitness 
in his means, he reported himself to the War Depart- 
ment as a soldier of the Revolution, and was placed 
upon the pension roll at ninety-six dollars a year. 
About the same time, he accepted an invitation to labor 
in Gustavus, Trumbull Co., Ohio, a small congregation 
of about thirty members, that had been organized by 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 227 

himself. Over this people he was installed as pastor by 
the Presbytery of Grand River, in October, 1826. Here 
he labored for eight years with encouraging success, 
but on account of declining health, he was dismissed 
from his charge by the Presbytery of Trumbull, June 
26, 1835. 1 This dismission was at his own request, 
and against the wishes of his people. 

In October following, he removed to Wood County, 
Ohio, to reside with his only surviving daughter, Mrs. 
Van Tassel. With her he remained until within three 
years of his decease, when he removed to Perrysburg, 
Ohio, where he died, April 5, 1846, in the ninetieth 
year of his age. His last sermon was preached on the 
day of the National Fast, appointed in consequence of 
the death of President Harrison, his old commander. 
With all his patriarchal age, fc> he retained his mental 
powers to the last moments, and died in the exercise of 
a triumphant faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." 2 

In his ecclesiastical relations, Mr. Badger was first a 
Congregationalist, but finding none of his brethren in 
his new field of labor, he connected himself with the 
Presbytery of Erie. This new relation was consum- 
mated on the 13th day of April, 1803. In 1808, the 
Presbytery of Hartford (Beaver) was formed, when he 
became one of its original members. In 1814, he be- 
came a member of the Presbytery of Grand River, 5 
and lastly of the Presbytery of Trumbull. 4 It is said 
he always retained his preferences for Congregational- 
ism. 

" In person," says President Pierce of Western Re- 
serve College, " he was about the medium size, of a 
strong and muscular frame, and yet not peculiarly cor- 

1 Dr, Elliott. s Formed from Hartford, 1814. 

2 Ibid. 4 Formed from Grand River, 1827. 



228 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

pulent The features of his countenance were strongly- 
marked — bold, expressive, and manly. In his man- 
ners, he was frank, open, benevolent, and sympathetic. 
A stranger soon felt at home with him, and prepared 
to receive with confidence information on all subjects 
within the field of his labors." 

He was a man of great versatility of genius. He 
could assist the farmer in manufacturing and repairing 
his farming utensils, or administer medicine to the 
sick, whilst he was equally at home in shoeing his own 
horse, carrying hammer and nails in his saddle-bags for 
that purpose. 

Whilst the army lay at Lower Sandusky, during his 
chaplaincy, in 1812, his genius was called into requisi- 
tion. Says President Pierce : — 

" The settlement was small, and the army encamped 
in the woods was short of provisions, and suffered es- 
pecially in that they had no means for grinding corn. 
Mr. Badger, by boring and burning, scooped out a large 
oak stump in the form of a mortar. In this he placed 
an upright shaft, fitted at the end for a pestle, and gave 
it motion by means of a horizontal spring-pole, fastened 
t) the neighboring trees, and thus the corn was pounded. 
When he had got his machinery in operation, he called 
on Colonel Darrow, the commanding officer of the sta- 
tion, and asked him if he had ever heard of priestcraft ? 
He replied, ' Yes.' ' Would you like to see a specimen ? ' 
' Yes.' So he took him to the woods and showed him 
his contrivance." 

The same authority gives us the following incident 
of his missionary adventures, that is well authenti- 
cated : — 

" On the eve of a dark, rainy night, the streams be- 
ing much raised, he came to a ford on Grand River, 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 229 

and crossed, intending to encamp on the bank for the 
night. He was prevented by the snapping and growl- 
ing of some animal near. It soon became so dark 
that he could not see his hand holding the bridle, and 
he knew by the noise that a bear was continually ap- 
proaching. Having a horseshoe in his hand, guided by 
the noise, he threw it, but without effect. He reined 
his horse right and left, that he might find a tree and 
climb from danger. Succeeding in this, he fastened 
the bridle to the smaller limbs, rose upon the saddle 
and ascended the tree. The bear came to the root 
and, as he supposed, began to climb. Gaining a firm 
footing, he drew a sharp knife and prepared for battle. 
But as the bear did not approach, he ascended about 
forty feet into the top of the tree, found a convenient 
place to sit upon a limb, and tied himself to the tree 
with his handkerchief, that he might be more safe if he 
should fall into a drowse. The night was most dreary, 
with storm and wind and heavy peals of thunder. Prov- 
identially the horse was not frightened, but remained a 
quiet sentinel at the foot of the tree. Being drenched 
with rain, he shook his saddle, and so frightened the 
bear that he retreated a few rods, where he remained 
growling and snapping his teeth until near daylight, 
when he left the premises, and the missionary went to 
his home in safety." 

Mr. Badger was twice married. His first wife was 
Miss Lois Noble, of New Milford, Conn., a sister of the 
wife of his early patron, Rev. Jeremiah Day. By this 
marriage he had seven children, three sons and four 
daughters. Mrs. Badger died on the 4th of August, 
1818, in the sixty-fourth year of her age. She was a 
most estimable woman, sharing his hardships, conduct- 



230 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

ing the affairs of the house in his absence, and cooper- 
ating with him in all his missionary plans. 

His second wife was Miss Abigail Ely, of Wilbra- 
ham, Mass., who was visiting her sisters in Salem, Ohio. 
This marriage took place in April, 1819. 

And thus his record closes upon earth, but who can 
doubt but that it is carried forward in heaven, in higher, 
holier, and more exalted service, where the peace and 
the joy and the glory will be eternal ! 

(12). ALEXANDER COOK. 

1802-1828. 

Here is one who led a life of vicissitudes. In his 
earlier years, he was familiar with the broom and the 
heather of Scotia's classic vales. In later life he was 
an artisan at Berwick-on- the-Tweed, so famous in Scot- 
tish history, and still later a missionary in the northern 
and southern portions of the United States. 

Alexander Cook was the son of Thomas and Isabella 
(Ogilvie) Cook, and was born at St. Monance, Fife- 
shire, near Glasgow, Scotland, on the 4th day of Febru- 
ary, 1760, and was baptized on the 6th day of the same 
month and year. He received a moderate English 
education at Glasgow, and learned the trade of a silver- 
smith. He was at Berwick-on-the-Tweed in 1778, and 
emigrated to America in 1783. He lived for a time in 
the State of Maryland, and in 1797 was living in Can- 
nonsburg, Pa., and working at his trade as a silver- 
smith. In those days there seems to have been some- 
thing sacred in the very atmosphere of that town. The 
influence of Dr. McMillan seems to have reached al- 
most every professing Christian man, and to have drawn 
them, under God, into the ministry. So we find Alex- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 231 

ander Cook working away most diligently in the fabri- 
cation of spoons and the renovating of watches ; and at 
the same time, although nearly forty years of age, study- 
ing at the Academy, with reference to the gospel min- 
istry. He studied theology with Dr. McMillan, and 
was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio. He had been 
taken under the care of this Presbytery, January 21, 
1802, as a suitable person to be sent to the Indians as 
a missionary, and for that purpose specially licensed, 
April 23, 1802. In the following August, it is recorded 
that he was commissioned by General Dearborn, then 
Secretary of War, as a missionary to the Indians. He 
had, however, an appointment of a more ecclesiastical 
nature, from the Synod of Pittsburgh. His history as a 
missionary is thus recorded : — 

" Mr. Alexander Cook, a licentiate under the care 
of the Ohio Presbytery, was appointed to spend five 
months at Sandusky to instruct the Indians in the knowl- 
edge of the Gospel of Christ." 

Afterwards it is recorded : " The missionaries have 
all fulfilled their appointments except Messrs. Joseph 
Patterson and Alexander Cook, who though they went 
to the places to which they were directed, did not meet 
that friendly reception they expected from the Indians, 
and returned in about two months." 1 

He was regularly licensed for the settlements on the 
30th day of September, 1802. On the 12th day of 
April, 1803, he was received under the care of the Pres- 
bytery of Erie, and having accepted calls from the con- 
gregations of Slippery Rock and Lower Neshannock, 
(now New Castle), was assigned Pom. iii. 31, as the sub- 
ject of a sermon as part of trials for ordination. He 
was ordained on the 22d day of June, 1803, and installed 
1 Printed Min. Synod of Pittsburgh, page 12. 



232 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

pastor of the churches of Slippery Rock and New Castle. 
In these exercises John Boyd (8) preached the ser- 
mon, and Thomas Edgar Hughes (1) delivered the 
charges. This relation continued until June 14th, 
1809, when it was dissolved by Presbytery. On the 
6th day of March, 1810, he was dismissed from the 
Presbytery of Erie, and connected himself with the 
Presbytery of Hartford. 

About this time Mr. Cook took a commission as a 
missionary to labor in the States of South Carolina and 
Georgia. This work continued for six months. He 
was also stated supply at Poland, Ohio, from 1812 to 
1814. On the 3d day of January, 1815, he was received 
from the Presbytery of Hartford, by the Presbytery of 
Ohio, and installed pastor of the church of Bethany. 
This relation was dissolved April 1, 1820. And on 
the 3d day of April, 1821, he was received by the Pres- 
bytery of Alleghany, and on the 26th of June following, 
installed as pastor of the churches of Ebenezer and 
Bear Creek. This relation was dissolved on the 26th 
day of June, 1827. On the 19th of October following 
he was received by the Presbytery of Steubenville, and 
for a year supplied the churches of Annapolis and 
Bloomfield, in Jefferson County, Ohio. 

In the winter of 1828, he left his home to organize a 
church in a Scotch settlement, in Columbiana County, 
Ohio. Reaching his destination on Saturday, he con- 
versed to a late hour of the night with the family whose 
hospitality he was enjoying, and retired to rest. Not 
appearing at the usual time of rising in the morning, 
examination was made, when he was found dead in his 
bed. His death occurred at the house of Mr. Johnston, 
on Yellow Creek, November 30, 1828, in the sixty-ninth 
year of his age and the thirty-seventh of his ministry. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 233 

'• On the 2d day of January, 1787, Mr. Cook was 
united in marriage to Miss Alizannah Adams, of Abing- 
don, Md. They had ten children, three only of whom 
arrived at years of maturity. Mrs. Cook died at Slip- 
pery Rock, Beaver County, Pa., June 6, 1805. Her 
death took place on a Fast Day, whilst her husband was 
at church. He was afterwards married to Miss Clark, 
of Beaver County, Pa. 

In person Mr. Cook was rather below the medium 
height, compactly built, dark complexion, dark brown 
eyes, with a sedate expression of countenance, generally, 
yet with a vein of mirth, cropping out in times of re- 
laxation. He had a good faculty of rendering himself 
ageeable to the young. 

(13.) ROBERT PATTERSON. 

1801-1854. 

Robert Patterson was the son of Rev. Joseph 
and Jane (Moak) Patterson. He was descended from 
a family illustrious for its patriotism, and what is better, 
for piety and zeal for the service of the Lord. The 
father of Robert Patterson was born in the north of 
Ireland, in the year 1752. His father, though but a 
lad at the time, was at the famous siege of Derry ; and 
the sufferings to which the Patterson family were sub- 
jected in consequence of this siege, were most severe 
and distressing. This branch of the family emigrated 
from Scotland to Ireland, in consequence of the ter- 
rible persecutions, carried on by Claverhouse, under 
Charles II. The grandfather of Robert Patterson was 
the son of John, the founder of the Irish branch of the 
family. 1 

1 Sprague's Annals, 



234 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Rev. Joseph Patterson, the father of Eobert, was 
licensed to preach the gospel in 1788. He was a 
most useful and laborious minister, and died at Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., in 1832. 

Robert Patterson, the subject of this sketch, was 
born at Stillwater, New York, on the 1st day of April, 
1773, near the spot afterwards celebrated as the field 
of one of the most severely contested battles of the 
Revolution. Not long after his birth, his parents re- 
moved to Germantown, Pa. The battle of Germantown 
occurred during the sojourn of the family at that place, 
and Mr. Patterson, then in his fifth year, distinctly 
remembered many of its scenes. After a brief resi- 
dence in York County, the family removed to the 
West, and took up their abode in Washington County, 
Pa. 

In the spring of 1791, Robert Patterson commenced 
his academical studies at the Cannonsburg Academy, 
then just opened. He recited the first lesson that was 
heard in connection with that institution — teacher and 
pupil seated under the shade of a tree, on the banks 
of the now classic Chartiers. After prosecuting his 
studies for three years in the Academy, be went east 
and entered the senior class of the University of Penn- 
sylvania, where he graduated in the fall of 1795. On 
his way to Philadelphia, the journey there being made 
on horseback, he met the forces sent out by the Gov- 
ernment to quell the Whiskey Insurrection. 

Mr. Patterson had a great thirst for knowledge. He 
was not content with his collegiate course, and so lin- 
gered in the halls of his Alma Mater after his gradua- 
tion. He was employed for nearly five years as tutor 
in the University, at the same time prosecuting, still 
further, his studies in the languages and higher math- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 235 

ematics. He returned to the residence of his father, who 
was then pastor of the Raccoon Church, in 1800, and on 
the 30th day of April, 1801, was licensed to preach the 
gospel by the Presbytery of Ohio. His theological 
studies had been prosecuted in part w T ith Rev. Ashbel 
Green, D. D., while he was connected with the Uni- 
versity, and in part under the direction of Dr. Mc- 
Millan. 

The next year after his licensure, Mr. Patterson took 
a tour over the destitute region of what was afterward 
the territory of the Presbytery of Erie. He visited 
the shore of Lake Erie, preached at various places, 
and finally was encouraged to think of settling in the 
congregations of Erie and Upper and Lower Green- 
field. These latter churches were afterwards known as 
Middlebrook and North East. Rev. Elisha McCurdy 
had preceded him here, and soon after Mr. Patterson's 
first visit, he, in company with Joseph Stockton (4), 
James Satterfield (6), and his own famous "praying 
elder," Philip Jackson, organized the churches of Upper 
Greenfield (Middlebrook) and Lower Greenfield 
(North East). 

At a pro re nata meeting of the Presbytery of Erie, 
held at Pittsburgh, on the 30th of September, 1802, 
during the sessions of the Synod of Pittsburgh, Mr. 
Patterson was received under its care. At the same 
meeting calls were presented for his pastoral labors 
from the congregations of Erie and Upper and Lower 
Greenfield, of which he declared his acceptance. Acts 
iii. 19 was assigned him as the subject for a sermon as 
part of trials for ordination. At a meeting of Presby- 
tery held at Lower Greenfield, or North East, on the 
1st day of September, 1803, the congregation of Erie, 
having from some cause declined entering into the 



236 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

arrangement, Mr. Patterson was ordained and installed 
as pastor of the congregations of Upper and Lower 
Greenfield. Here he labored faithfully and with the 
practice of much self-denial until the 22d day of April, 
1807, when at his own request the pastoral relation 
was dissolved. During his labors in this field he re- 
sided at North East, and took frequent missionary tours 
up and down the Lake, and for a time preached a part 
of the time at a place called Portland. A wide-spread- 
ing fir-tree is still pointed out by an aged citizen of the 
neighborhood, as having been planted by Mr. Patter- 
son's own hand. 

In April, 1807, he accepted an invitation to take 
charge of the Pittsburgh Academy, now the Western 
University of Pennsylvania. During the three years 
he presided over this institution, he numbered among 
his pupils many who afterwards filled prominent public 
stations, and who often spoke in grateful terms of his 
care and faithfulness as an instructor. 

In October, 1812, Mr. Patterson was dismissed from 
the Presbytery of Erie, to connect himself with the 
Presbytery of Redstone. From 1810 to 1836 he was 
engaged in secular business, book-selling, and at times 
the manufacture of paper, having been one of the pro- 
prietors of one of the first paper mills established in 
the West. This business was carried on extensively 
for nearly a quarter of a century, bringing him into 
extensive public notice, yet not always resulting in suc- 
cess. Indeed, he suffered many severe reverses, yet 
was always esteemed a man of most undoubted probity 
and honor. 

During the greater portion of this time, he was stated 
supply of the Hilands Church, situated about seven 
miles from Pittsburgh, and in the bounds of the Pres- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 237 

bytery of Ohio. The people of this charge have often 
remembered his faithful ministrations ; and the recollec- 
tion of the relationship he had sustained to them, with 
its many pleasing associations, was a theme of grateful 
acknowledgment on his part, to the latest period of 
his life. 

In 1840, Mr. Patterson removed to the country a 
short distance from Pittsburgh. The infirmities of age 
were now upon him, and he ceased to preach regularly, 
yet he was always ready, when physical strength would 
permit, to preach in neighboring churches when they 
were vacant. For many years increasing spirituality 
seemed to characterize his mind. The things nnseen 
of the eye of sense absorbed his attention and filled 
his mind, as was obvious from his reading and conversa- 
tion. Scarcely a friend or even a stranger paused for 
a moment at his door, without having their attention 
called to the things of religion. Rev. Richard Lea, 
who knew him well, remarks that he did not remember 
a single conversation with him for many years, were the 
interview long or short, in which the subject of the 
soul's great interest had not been introduced. In the 
bosom of his own family, where he was ever the most 
tender of husbands, and the most affectionate of fath- 
ers, and in the enjoyment of that domestic intercourse 
which had for him a peculiar charm, his spirituality of 
character and heavenly-mindedness, shone forth with 
brightest lustre. 

His last illness was brief. His disease was dysentery. 
It assumed an alarming character about a week pre- 
ceding his departure. When all hope of recovery was 
precluded, his brother Joseph said to him, " You will 
soon be with that Jesus whom you have loved so long/' 
He smiled a pleased assent. His brother then remark- 



238 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

ing that " God showed the same mercy in breaking up 
as in building up a family," he replied that " We are 
too prone to regard only one of God's attributes — his 
mercy ; forgetting that he was infinite in them all — 
his justice as well as his mercy." Other remarks 
showed that whilst tenderly mindful of those around, 
his thoughts were with that Saviour he was so soon to 
see. 

On Sabbath afternoon he lapsed into a state of almost 
lethargy, which continued with little interruption until 
Tuesday evening, September 5, 1854, when without a 
quivering muscle, or a heaving sigh, he passed away 
from earth. 

There are perhaps few to whom could be applied 
with greater propriety the words which were the last 
he ever read, when he led for the last time the devo- 
tions of his family, on the Wednesday preceding his 
decease : " For our conversation is in heaven ; from 
whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus 
Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be 
fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the 
working whereby he is able even to subdue all things 
unto himself." Phil. iii. 20, 21. 

In August, 1801, Mr. Patterson was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Jean, daughter of Col. John Canon, the 
proprietor of Cannonsburg. They had seven children, 
five daughters, and two sons. 

The following paper from the pen of Rev. Richard 
Lea, will throw light upon his character : " Rev. 
Robert Patterson, son of Joseph, was like his father in 
many respects : rather short and heavy, very lively and 
good natured. He was not a student, but a good 
scholar ; long known in Pittsburgh as a bookseller, but 
preaching for twenty-five years, nearly every Sabbath, 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 239 

in Hilands Church. He had labored previously in Erie 
County, Pa. He lived many years, in a hearty old age, 
after his resignation as pastor. 

" I never knew one so remarkable for under-valuing 
self. In judicatories he spoke impulsively, and if re- 
plied to pointedly, none enjoyed it more than himself. 
He would catechize a young man's performance ear- 
nestly, and ending with, i It is too much like my own 
performances ; ' or ' It is very poor indeed, but far 
better than I could do myself.' The severest thing he 
ever said was, ' Moderator, as a performance, that is 
more logical and accurate than anything of my own, 
but I never did preach such a Christless thing. I never 
will vote for a sermon that has not the slightest perfume 
of the Rose of Sharon.' 

" He often told with great gusto, the following, which 
was rather at his own expense : — 

" 4 1 was riding on horseback through the mud, seven 
miles to Hilands, to preach on Sabbath morning. A 
traveller overtook me. I told him he must be fond of 
violating the Sabbath to travel over such awful roads. 

" ' And what are you doing, friend ? ' 

66 ' O, I'm going to church.' 

" ' Do you think it makes much difference to the 
horse ? Couldn't you get preaching nearer ? ' 

u The church was soon reached, and I said, ' Sup- 
pose you come and hear preaching ; it will rest both you 
and your horse.' 

u ' Who is the preacher ? ' 

" ' One Patterson.' 

" ' Did he preach in Erie once ?' 

" ' Yes.' 

" ' Then I won't stop — he is the dryest old stick I 
ever heard.' 



240 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

u His own sermons were all extempore, and very much 
taken up with the relative duties of husbands and 
wives, parents and children. He abounded in anecdotes, 
sure to speak of Jesus ; often, with tears, of his mother. 

" The text he often parsed ■ — spoke of nouns and 
verbs, etc., often exclaiming, ' 0, the sweetness of the 
personal pronouns. Any one can say, a Saviour, the 
Saviour ; it takes a christian to say, my Lord, my 
Saviour.' 

" Every one wished to lodge him, at Presbytery. He 
would put all at ease by saying, * What a bountiful 
meal God has given you for us.' ' Put as much cream 
into my coffee as though you kept a cow, and as much 
sugar as if you had a sugar camp.' 

" ' Make your tea strong, and weaken with cream and 
sugar.' 

" 'Madam ! What a nice big boy you have ! Give 
him to Christ, and ask him to make him a missionary.' 

" To a lady who asked him what school she should 
send her daughter to, he replied, ' That one that has 
the most religion in it.' 

" ' Don't send your boy into the world until he has 
found Christ. But if he will go, follow 7 him with prayers 
and tears. Give him and God no rest, until he is con- 
verted.' " 

(14.) ROBERT JOHNSTON. 

1802-1861. 

There are many remarkable incidents connected with 
the life of this servant of God. His old age, his long 
period of active labor, and his success in winning souls 
to Christ, make his history interesting and instructive. 
There is an incident connected with his dawn of life 
that is worthy of record. " When he was an infant 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 241 

of days, his maternal grandfather died, who was a de- 
votedly pious man. Just before his death, he was led to 
the door, at his own request, supported by his attendant 
watchers. It was night. He looked with anxious gaze 
towards the heavens, as though longing to fly away to 
God. But his work was not quite done. As he cast 
his eyes downward, the little babe in his mother's arms 
smiled upon him, at which sight he lifted his eyes again 
toward heaven, and poured forth a most earnest and im- 
passioned prayer for the infant. It was his dying prayer. 
His work was now done, and he fell asleep in Jesus. 
From that hour, the parents, who had already devoted 
the child to God in baptism, resolved with unwavering 
purpose to educate him for the ministry." x 

" Rev. Robert Johnston was of English extraction, 
being a lineal descendant of Oliver Cromwell, by Bridget, 
the eldest daughter of the Protector, who was first the 
wife of General Fleetwood, and afterward of General 
Ireton. His paternal grandfather emigrated to this 
country, in early manhood, and settled and married in 
the State of New Jersey. He had three sons — Abram, 
Robert, and Elisha - — and one daughter. Robert, the 
second son, settled as a farmer on the west bank of the 
Juniata River, in what is called Sherman's Valley, in 
Cumberland (now Perry) County, Pennsylvania, where 
he was married to Miss Jane Graham. 

" Mr. Robert Johnston had five sons, James, Edward, 
Robert, Francis, and William, and two daughters, Nancy 
and Mary. Edward obtained, when somewhat advanced 
in life, an education, and was licensed to preach the 
gospel. Robert, the third son and subject of this bio- 
graphical sketch, was born on the 7th day of August, 
1774." 2 

i Rev. Loyal Young, D. D. 2 Dr. Swift's Sermon. 

16 



242 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

The purpose of devoting him to the gospel ministry, 
his parents seem to have laid up in their own hearts, 
for in boyhood young Robert was sent to learn the trade 
of a wagon-maker, which business he pursued until 
his twenty-second year. In the year 1792, his father 
crossed the mountains, and with his family settled on a 
place near Cannonsburg, Pa. He had become involved 
pecuniarily, and must seek a home in a comparatively 
new country. In this new location his circumstances 
began to prosper, and he saw the way opening for carry- 
ing out his long-cherished purpose of educating his son. 
In May, 1796, the parents of Robert Johnston made 
known to him and the rest of the family their plans and 
hopes, and in his twenty-second year he commenced 
his studies in the Cannonsburg Academy. 

In the autumn of 1801, having completed his studies 
in the Academy, he commenced the study of theology 
with Dr. McMillan. His classmates were, James Car- 
nahan, William McMillan, Robert Patterson (13), and 
Stephen Lindley. On the 22d of April, 1802, he was 
licensed to preach the gospel, by the Presbytery of 
Ohio. 

Very providentially for the cause of history, Mr. 
Johnston has left behind a brief autobiography, from 
which a few paragraphs are selected, quoted from the 
discourse delivered by Rev. E. P. Swift, D. D., before 
the Synod of Alleghany : — 

" After prosecuting the study of theology about eigh- 
teen months, I was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio, 
on the 22d of April, 1802. After riding one year as 
a licentiate (chiefly in Ohio and Kentucky), I received 
a call from the united congregations of Scrubgrass and 
Bear Creek, and entered upon my charge on the first 
Sabbath of August." 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 243 

Mr. Johnston was ordained by the Presbytery of 
Erie, on the 19th day of October, 1803, at Scrubgrass. 
His trial sermon was on John vi. 45. In the ordination 
services, Rev. James Satterfleld (6) preached on Matt, 
xvi. 26, and Rev. William Wylie (7) presided and de- 
livered the charges. 1 

" I had become familiar with the great western re- 
vival which commenced in Kentucky, in 1802, having 
seen it there and in Ohio during the summer, and in 
Western Pennsylvania in the fall and winter following, 
and felt anxious to see it in my own charge. The set- 
tlement in Scrubgrass was new, and composed generally 
of young families, and was lamentably destitute of vital 
piety. So far as I knew, there were but three praying 
men in the congregation, and they lived in the extreme 
parts of it, and could not be convened for a prayer 
meeting." 

Mr. Johnston then proceeds to relate the circum- 
stances, already alluded to in the body of this work, con- 
nected with a powerful revival of religion, the fruits of 
which he states to be the hopeful conversion of more 
than a hundred souls within the bounds of the con- 
gregation of Scrubgrass, comprising fully one half of all- 
its adult members. 

" Not long after the revival had ceased, I resigned 
the charge of Bear Creek, and devoted my whole time 
to Scrubgrass, where I continued to labor in peace and 
comfort until interrupted by claims to the soil, presented 
by land-jobbers, which eventually drove many of my best 
members from their farms into the State of Ohio. This 
reduced the congregation so far that I was laid under 
the painful necessity of parting with the remains of a 

i Min. Erie Pres. i. 21. 



244 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

flock, endeared to me by every tie that could bind a 
pastor and his flock together in love. 

"In February, 1811, I took my leave of this little 
flock and moved to Meadville, and took charge of that 
congregation, with two others, Sugar Creek and Con- 
neaut Lake, devoting half of my time to Meadville, and 
the balance to the other two. Here I continued to 
labor until the spring of 1817, when, for causes not 
under my control, I felt it to be my duty to leave them 
and to remove to the congregations of Rehoboth and 
Round Hill, on the forks of the Youghiogheny River, 
under the care of the Presbytery of Redstone. 

" In these congregations, I continued to labor in 
peace and comfort, and I trust not without some degree 
of usefulness, until December, 1822, when for various 
reasons that to me appeared sufficient to decide the ques- 
tion of duty, and which I presented to the Presbytery 
in writing, I took my leave of that people. I spent the 
following winter principally in an Agency for the Board 
of Domestic Missions ; and in the spring I accepted an 
Agency in behalf of the Western Foreign Missionary 
Society and part of the summer and fall I acted as 
agent for the Western Theological Seminary. 

" On the first of November, 1833, I visited Bethel 
congregation, Indiana County, Pa., where I spent the 
winter as stated supply, and in the spring accepted a 
call and became their pastor. Here I continued until, 
through the infirmities of age, I became unable to en- 
dure the fatigue and exposure necessarily connected 
with parochial duties, particularly family visitation, dis- 
trict catechising, and Bible-class and Sabbath-school 
instruction. Believing that in ordinary circumstances 
no man is justifiable in holding an office in Church or 
State, the duties and responsibilities of which he is un- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 245 

able to discbarge, I asked and obtained leave to resign 
my pastoral charge in October, 1841, and at the request 
of the congregation, I continued as stated supply for 
six months. While I felt it my duty to resign the 
charge of a congregation, 1 I had no design to quit 
preaching, and being blessed with health and strength 
of lungs beyond the lot of my fellow-laborers, I had no 
desire to demit my beloved employment, and for six 
years that I have been without a charge, I have, in as- 
sisting my brethren on communion occasions, and in 
supplying their pulpits when they were necessarily ab- 
sent, and occasionally supplying a vacant congregation, 
preached as many sermons as there have been Sabbaths, 
since my dismission in 1841 up to October, 1847. 
Since that time I have not been able to preach so fre- 
quently." 

We have here in his own words, plain and unassum- 
ing as they are, a record of his outward life and public 
labors. From other sources it appears that he remained 
at Scrubgrass and Bear Creek about eight years ; in 
Meadville, and the congregations attached to it, six 
years ; in Rehoboth and Round Hill, sixteen years ; in 
Bethel ten years, making an active pastorate of forty 
years. 

After retiring from the pastoral office he continued 
to reside with his son, James W. Johnston, Esq., until 
his death. 

Mr. Johnston was a member of the Presbytery of 
Erie, from the time of his ordination until February 
25, 1818, when he became a member of the Presby- 
tery of Redstone. He continued a member of this 
Presbytery until 1834, when he became a member of 
the Presbytery of Blairsville, of which he continued a 

1 Mr. Johnston was then in his 68th year. 



246 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

member until 1851, when he became a member of the 
Presbytery of Beaver, continuing this connection until 
his death. 

About the beginning of his ministry, he was united 
in marriage* to Miss Eleanor Wright, a daughter of 
Judge Wright, long »an eminent and valuable ruling 
elder in the church ; and with her he lived most happily 
for near fifty years. This devoted woman entered most 
heartily into the spirit of his labors, accompanying him 
on horseback in his missionary work, sharing in his pri- 
vations, comforting him in his discouragements, and 
taking such part in his labors, throughout his public 
ministry, as a devoted, heroic, Christian wife can, and 
died in New Castle, Pa., about the year 1852. 

Of his family four sons received a liberal education, 
and are settled respectably in professional life : Rev. J. 
Watson Johnston, of the Presbytery of Beaver ; Hon. 
S. P. Johnston, President Judge of the Sixth Judicial 
District of Pennsylvania ; Robert Johnston, M. D., of 
West Middlesex, Pa. ; and James W. Johnston, Esq., a 
member of the bar. Of his two surviving daughters, 
one is the wife of Rev. Loyal Young, D. D., of Butler, 
Pa., and the other of Alexander Ross, Esq., of New 
Castle, Pa. 

During the last few years of his life he was much dis- 
abled by infirmity, being obliged to walk with crutches 
and even in this way with difficulty. The last time he 
appeared in Synod was at New Castle, in September, 
1855 ; when, coming in on his crutches, he was cordially 
saluted by the venerable moderator, Dr. Swift, with in- 
quiries for his health, he replied : " I have nothing of 
which to complain," but checking himself he added, — 
" Yes, there is the old wicked heart yet. I cannot get 
clear of that." 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 247 

He was always punctual in his attendance at meet- 
ings of church courts. To his son-in-law, Dr. Young, 
he wrote in October, 1849 : " My health has been so 
precarious for some time past, that I feel that it would 
not be prudent to be from home for any length of time. 
I have therefore concluded to be absent for the first 
time for the last forty-six years from the meeting of 
Synod." 

From his early struggles in the way of life, he was 
eminently fitted to guide the inquiring, to comfort the 
desponding, and to warn those who were disposed to 
trust in their own works. His ministry was eminently 
successful. During the revivals with which his ministry 
was blessed, many young men were brought into the 
church, who afterwards became ministers of the gospel. 

He was the special friend of all the benevolent opera- 
tions of the church. Missionary, Educational, Bible, 
and Temperance Societies, always had his most hearty 
cooperation and encouragement. 

" Mr. Johnston was an able, instructive, and impres- 
sive preacher. Without being what is familiarly called 
an eloquent, polished, or captivating speaker, he pos- 
sessed strong lungs, a voice capable of filling with ease 
the largest building, and an enunciation so distinct that 
any in the largest assembly could easily hear him. If 
his voice was mightv in strenoth. and solemn and com- 
manding in its utterance, it lacked melody and softness. 
His manner in the pulpit was grave, solemn, and often 
impassioned, attesting the profounclest sincerity and 
ardor ; and at times his appeals to the conscience were 
thrilling and powerful." x 

Says Dr. Young : " His preaching was earnest, 
solemn, and instructive. Often was he so deeply moved 
by the importance of his themes, that utterance almost 

i Dr. Swift. 



248 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

failed. This was more especially the case in prayer- 
The unction and pathos of his prayers are well known 
by those who have often bowed with him at the family 
altar. The circle gathered there have often found the 
place a Bochim, while he led in penitential supplication." 

With a heart overflowing with human kindness, there 
was yet much in his countenance and manner that re- 
minded one of the old Puritan fathers. The blood of 
his old ancestors seemed to show itself in his counte- 
nance and in his speech. There was a gravity and 
sternness in his countenance and words that at first were 
almost repulsive. He used the old Anglo-Saxon lan- 
guage with great power, and handled the vices and fol- 
lies of the times with unmitigated •severity, speaking 
in language so strong that it seemed sometimes to 
amount to censoriousness and harshness. Yet withal, 
no one acquainted with him doubted the genuine kind- 
ness and charity that dwelt in his heart. 

Says Dr. Young, in speaking of his last days : " To 
the doctrines and order of the Presbyterian church, Mr. 
Johnston was devotedly attached ? and yet he loved with 
true Catholic charity all that bore the image of Christ. 
No man appreciated more than he, a good sermon or 
address, and he was enraptured by the power of elo- 
quence, especially when the subject was the excellency 
of Christ, the glory of his coming kingdom, or the 
work of his grace in the hearts of men. These were 
themes of which he never grew weary. These themes 
so filled his heart during his last years that he was always 
happy. Never, perhaps, was an old age more cheerful. 
His wonder was why God should continue the life of 
one so useless, and he said often that he was just wait- 
ing in daily anticipation of his departure. A few years 
before his death, and at the last time he was at the 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 249 

house of the writer, while the family were gathered for 
worship on the evening of the Sabbath, he gave utter- 
ance to words so full of longing desire for heaven, 
that the pen can do no justice in attempting to record 
them. He said he had such an insatiable desire to 
know what the glory of heaven was, that he felt almost 
impatient for the time to come when he should be per- 
mitted to behold it ; and this was said with so much 
pathos, and with a face so radiant with joy, that we all felt 
that we were communing with a man that had a foretaste 
of the bliss to which he was going. It was then, or at a 
later period, that he informed the writer that he had an 
abiding assurance of his being accepted with God and of 
his final happiness, and that for many years he had had 
no anxious doubt. In view of the Millennium, whose 
dawn he soon anticipated, he would sometimes say, that 
if it were lawful, he could wish to have been born fifty 
years later." 

But the time of departure came at last, and with an 
illness of but two weeks' duration, he seemed literally 
to fall asleep, without a muscle indicating a departing 
struggle. His death occurred at New Castle, Pa., May 
20, 1861, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. His 
remains rest in the cemetery at New Castle, near those 
of his departed companion in life. 

(15.) NICHOLAS PITTINGER. 

1803-1831. 

Nicholas Pittinger was born about the year 1766. 
Although his death took place at a comparatively late 
date, yet not much of his history has come down to our 
day. Of his parents and place of birth, we know noth- 
ing. He was educated at the Cannonsburg Academy, 



250 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

and studied theology in the approved way with Dr. 
McMillan, and was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio 
on the 20th day of October, 1803. His name first ap- 
pears on the records of the Presbytery of Erie, January 
11, 1804, in this wise: "Mr. Pittinger, a licentiate of 
the Ohio Presbytery, being present and having signified 
his willingness to itinerate through the vacancies in this 
Presbytery, was appointed to preach at Poland," etc. 

On the 27th day of June, in the same year, he was 
received under the care of Presbytery,* and calls from 
the congregations of Westfield, Pa., and Poland, Ohio, 
having been presented for his pastoral labors, Rom. iii. 
31, was assigned him as a subject for a sermon as part 
of trials for ordination. 

On the 24th day of October, 1804, he was ordained 
to the whole work of the ministry, and installed pastor 
of the above churches. The meeting of Presbytery was 
at Westfield, the veteran Joseph Badger (11) preached 
the sermon, and William Wick (2) delivered the 
charges. He continued to serve the church of West- 
field until the 13th of September, 1809, and the church 
of Poland until the 20th of March, 1810. 

He was one of the original members of the Pres- 
bytery of Hartford, or Beaver, and from that Presby- 
tery was dismissed to that of Washington, Ky., March 
21, 1810. We cannot follow him closely now, as the 
footprints become indistinct. In the year 1810, he was 
a member of the Presbytery of Washington, Ky., and 
is reported as pastor of the church of Rocky Spring, 
near Greenfield, Ohio. Soon after, he is preaching at 
Nazareth and New Market, in connection with Rocky 
Spring. His pastorate at the latter place continued 
about ten years, and terminated in 1820. He is after- 
wards reported as stated supply at Pisgah, in the Pres- 
bytery of Chilicothe. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 251 

About the year 1821, he removed to the State of In- 
diana, and in 1823 was commissioned by the Board of 
Missions to labor in the northern part of that State. 1 
This missionary work was arduous and severe. It con- 
tinued but about one year, as he returned to the con- 
gregation of Rocky Spring, in Highland Co., Ohio, in 
April, 1824, where he continued to labor as a stated 
supply until his death, which occurred April 16, 1831, 
in the sixty-fifth year of his age, and the twenty-eighth 
of his ministry. 

Mr. Pittinger was twice married. His first marriage 
took place before he entered the ministry. By this 
marriage he had two or three children. His second 
wife was from the Rocky Spring congregation. Her 
name was Mrs. Applegate, maiden name Taylor. She 
survived him until January, 1840. 

Mr. Pittinger is reported as having been remarkably 
plain. His manner was blunt and uncompromising, 
exhibiting more of the spirit of John the Baptist than 
of John the beloved disciple. 

(16.) JOHN McPHERRIN. 

1789-1822. 

John McPherrin was born in Adams County, Pa., 
on the 17th day of November, 1757. His father's fam- 
ily afterwards removed to Westmoreland County, Pa. 
His studies, preparatory to entering College, were pur- 
sued with Rev. Robert Smith, D. D., of Pequea. He 
graduated at Dickinson College in 1788. His theolog- 
ical education was pursued under the direction of Rev. 
John Clark, pastor of Bethel congregation, Alleghany 
County, Pa. He was licensed to preach the gospel by 
1 Gillett's History. 



252 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

the Presbytery of Redstone, on the 20th of August, 
1789. On the 22d of September, in the year follow- 
ing, he was ordained by the same Presbytery, and in- 
stalled as pastor of the congregations of Salem and 
Unity, in Westmoreland County, Pa. His labors were 
prosperous and successful in this field for a number of 
years. On the 28th of June, 1800, he was released 
from the charge of Unity, and on the 20th of April, 
1803, from that of Salem. 

On the 9th of April, 1805, he became a member of 
the Presbytery of Erie, having removed to Butler 
County, Pa., and accepted calls from the congregations 
of Concord and Muddy Creek. The records are not 
clear in regard to this period of his pastoral labor. In 
1806, he is reported as pastor of Concord, Muddy 
Creek, and Harmony ; in 1809, as pastor of Concord 
and Harmony. On the 7th of April, 1813, he was in- 
stalled as pastor of the church of Butler, by the Pres- 
bytery of Erie. This was in connection with the church 
of Concord. Of this united charge he remained pastor 
until his death, a period of about nine years. His death 
took place at Butler, Pa., on the 10th day of February, 
1822, in the sixty-fifth year of his age, and the thirty- 
third of his ministry. 

The writer of his obituary notice in the " Pittsburgh 
Recorder,", 1 says : " He was a warm, zealous, and evan- 
gelical preacher. For some years before his death, he 
appeared to be remarkably weaned from the world ; he 
indeed lived above the world. His whole heart and 
soul were absorbed in the love of God, and his whole 
aim was to promote the interests of the Redeemer's 
kingdom." 

Mr. McPherrin appears to have been of a nervous, 

l Quoted by Dr. Elliott, from whom many facts were received. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 253 

sensitive temperament, illy fitted for the rough contact 
with life. Says Dr. Loyal Young, his successor in the 
pastoral office at Butler : " For a few years he labored, 
at times, under great mental depression. A sense of 
his unworthiness sometimes led him to the conclusion 
that it was wrong for him to engage in ministerial work. 
Sometimes on Sabbath morning he would tell his wife 
that he could not preach that day, and would seem in- 
clined not to fulfill his appointment. She would pur- 
suade him to go and conduct prayer-meeting, if he could 
not preach. On such occasions, he would generally 
preach sermons of unusual power. 

" Mr. McPherrin was very faithful as a pastor. After 
catechising the family, he would take each of the 
younger members aside, and personally urge upon them 
the necessity of a new heart, and an interest in Christ. 
These private interviews were often blessed to their 
conversion." 

The following tribute to his memory is from the pen 
of Hon. Walter Lowrie, 1 Secretary of the Presbyterian 
Board of Foreign Missions, who was his son-in-law : — 

u Mr. McPherrin did not write his sermons. He used 
very brief but comprehensive notes, which he placed in 
a small pocket-Bible. 

" It is no easy matter to draw a faithful likeness of 
Mr. McPherrin's character and appearance. He was 
tall in person, his hair, when I first saw him, quite gray, 
and his whole appearance the most venerable of any 
man I have ever seen. Decision and energy were the 
leading traits of his character. He knew not the fear of 
man, though sometimes his firmness degenerated into 
obstinacy. His natural temper was warm; hypocrisy 
formed no part of his character, and his heart was the 

1 Furnished to Dr. Young. 



254 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

seat of friendship and good-will to man. He possessed 
a strong mind and strong natural abilities. At Dickin- 
son College, under the celebrated Dr. Nesbit, he had 
received a thorough education, and by his studious hab- 
its, his mind was in a constant state of improvement. 
As a minister of the gospel, his zeal in his Master's 
cause never flagged, and a sincere desire to do good 
was his ruling passion through life. His eloquence was 
classically chaste, yet strong and nervous. His hearers 
were, in general, rather awed than charmed, more in- 
structed than delighted, yet often did the tears of his 
audience flow before they were themselves aware of it. 
All his sermons were, in the highest degree, evangel- 
ical. Christ Jesus and him crucified was the burden of 
his message ; and yet in every discourse he urged in 
the strongest manner the necessity of good works and 
a holy and Christian walk, not as a means or ground of 
acceptance with God, but as an evidence of being in 
the right way." 

Mr. McPherrin was in early life united in marriage 
to Miss Mary Stevenson, daughter of John Stevenson, 
of Cross Creek congregation, in Washington County, 
Pa. Several of his descendants are, or have been, 
serving the church in the ministry of reconciliation. 
Rev. J. C. Lowrie, D. D., formerly a missionary to In- 
dia, and the late Rev. Walter M. Lowrie, and Rev. Reu- 
ben P. Lowrie, missionaries to China, and Rev. Josiah 
McPherrin, of the Presbytery of Alleghany, are his 
grandsons. 

The memory of Mr. McPherrin is greatly revered 
in the Butler congregation. Many of the older mem- 
bers remember, and relate with tearful interest, the rec- 
ord of his ministry, and his self-denying labors, and his 
faithful preaching of Christ, and his humble and godly 
walk and conversation. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 255 

(17.) BENJAMIN BOYD. 

1804-1859. 

This was the youngest of the four Boyd brothers- 
ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, although he en- 
tered the ministry nearly three years before his older 
brother James. 

Benjamin Boyd, son of John and Mary (Fulton) 
Boyd, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., on the 
25th day of December, 1776. He probably worked on 
the farm with his father and brothers until near his 
majority, studying for a time with his good pastor, John 
McPherrin (16), until he went to Cannonsburg. Here 
he pursued his studies at the academy, and graduated 
after the academy had become a college. It is some- 
what uncertain whether he studied theology with his 
pastor, or with Dr. McMillan. He was taken under the 
care of the Presbytery of Erie, as a candidate for the 
ministry, on the 22d day of June, 1803. " An Christus 
qua Mediator adorandus sit," was assigned him as the 
theme of a Latin exegesis. 

He was licensed to preach the gospel by this Presby- 
tery, on the 24th day of October, 1804. It is not on 
record how or where he spent his time during the next 
two years. But in the fall of 1806 he accepted calls 
from the congregations of Trumbull, Beula, and Pyma- 
tuning, on the Western Reserve, or eastern part of Ohio, 
and Mercer County, Pa. Rom. x. 4, was assigned him 
as a subject for a trial sermon. The ordination took 
place at Trumbull, Ohio, on the 12th day of November, 
1806, Joseph Stockton (4) preached on the occasion, 
and Samuel Tait (3) delivered the charges. This pas- 
toral relation continued until 1809. In 1811, he re- 



256 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

moved to Western Virginia, and in the war of 1812 
served as a chaplain in the army in Virginia, under 
General Leftridge. 1 

In the autumn of 1814, he removed to Mason County, 
Ky. In 1827, he was a member of the Presbytery of 
Cincinnati. He preached for a time at Round Bottom, 
Cheviot, and Harrison, Ohio. He also preached for a 
time at West Liberty, Indiana, and at Dunlopsville and 
vicinity. At this time, he was also engaged in teaching, 
yet preaching as opportunity offered. In 1829, he re- 
moved to Newport, Ky., where he was engaged for a 
time in teaching. 

In 1834 and 1835, he was a member of the Presby- 
tery of Madison, and preached at Pleasant church, Ind. 
In the year 1836, he returned to Newport, Ky., where 
he spent the remainder of his days. He died on the 
1st day of October, 1859, in the eighty-third year of his 
age and the fifty-sixth of his ministry. His death 
was the result of old age, hastened, perhaps, by a severe 
fall. His remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at 
Newport, Ky. 

He was married early in life to Miss Anna Findley. 
They had five sons and one daughter. 

Mr. Boyd's mind was probably not as well balanced as 
that of his other brothers, yet in many respects, he was 
an earnest and good man. His was a life of grievous 
burdens and great conflicts, and the peace and the rest 
of the good Land would be most grateful to his spirit. 

(18.) CYRUS RIGGS. 

1805-1849. 

Mr. Riggs belonged to a New Jersey family. His 
ancestors had long resided in that State. He was the 

1 Wilson's Pres. Hist. Almanac. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 257 

son of Joseph and Hannah (Cook) Riggs, and was born 
in Morris County, New Jersey, on the 15th day of 
October, 1774. In his early years there was nothing 
remarkable or striking. He was a quiet, unpretending 
boy, intent on discharging his duty and standing in his 
lot. From New Jersey, Joseph Riggs removed with his 
family west of the Alleghany Mountains, and settled in 
Washington County, Pa., in the bounds of Lower Ten 
Mile congregation. At that time Cyrus was about 
twenty years of age. It is not known exactly when he 
became a professor of religion, but most probably soon 
after coming to the West, for a short time after we find 
him at Cannon sburg Academy, in preparation for the 
gospel ministry. 

But circumstances seemed adverse to his plans. His 
father failed ; his substance was sacrificed, and the son 
was forced to abandon his studies and give up all hope 
of the ministry. On the 25th day of July, 1797, Mr. 
Riggs was united in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter 
of Edward and Phebe Ross, of Washington County, 
Pa., who had emigrated from New Jersey about the 
same time with the Riggs' family. With his young wife, 
he removed to Mercer County, Pa., and setttled in the 
same congregation, where he was a few years afterward 
ordained as pastor. Here he commenced the laborious 
work of hewing himself out a home in the forest, with 
perhaps no thought but to spend his days in subduing 
the forest and cultivating the soil. 

Soon, however, Dr. McMillan found him and pur- 
suaded him to leave his axe and his plough, dispose of 
his little home, and return to Cannonsburg to study. 
He graduated in 1803 at Jefferson College, a member 
of the second class that graduated under the charter. 
After his graduation, he was employed as a tutor in the 
17 



258 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

college, in the mean time commencing the study of the- 
ology under the direction of Dr. McMillan. On the 
18th day of October, he was taken under the care of 
the Presbytery of Ohio, as a candidate for the gospel 
ministry, and on the 7th day of October, 1805, he was, 
by the same Presbytery, licensed to preach the gospel. 
From that time until the 23d day of October, 1806, he 
was engaged in supplying vacant churches within the 
bounds of Presbytery, when he received calls to labor 
in the congregations of Fairfield and Mill Creek, with- 
in the bounds of the Presbytery of Erie. In December 
of the same year, he declared his acceptance of these 
calls, and was dismissed to put himself under the care 
of the Presbytery of Erie. 

On the 21st day of April, 1807, Mr. Riggs was re- 
ceived under the care of the Presbytery of Erie, and 
on the 21st day of October, 1807, he was ordained and 
installed pastor of the churches of Fairfield and Mill 
Creek. Mr. Piggs' trial sermon was on Psalms lxxi. 10. 
In the ordination services, Abraham Boyd (9) preached 
the sermon from Matthew xxiv. 45, and Alexander 
Cook (12) delivered the charges. 

In this charge Mr. Piggs continued to labor until 
1812, when the pastoral relation was dissolved. Having 
accepted calls from the congregations of Scrubgrass 
and West Unity (now Harrisville), he was installed 
pastor of this charge, on the 6th day of April, 1814. 
Here he continued to labor until 1834, when the pas- 
toral relation was dissolved by the Presbytery of Alle- 
ghany. In the spring of 1821 he was dismissed with 
others to form the Presbytery of Alleghany, being one 
of its original members. In this Presbytery he re- 
mained until the autumn of 1835, when he removed 
with his family to the State of Illinois, and settled for 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 259 

a short time in the neighborhood of Macomb, McDon- 
ough County. In the summer of 1838, he removed to 
Washington County, in the same State, where he la- 
bored as a stated supply, in the churches of Elkhorn 
and Galum, up to the time of his death, which occurred 
on the 14th day of February, 1849, in the seventy-fifth 
year of his age, and forty-fifth of his ministry. His 
wife had died about four years previously. Their re- 
mains rest together in the cemetery of the Elkhorn 
church. 

Mr. Biggs was a quiet, even taciturn man. He sel- 
dom made any allusion to his own life and labors. His 
great aim was to do good and keep his people up to the 
requirements of the gospel. He loved Zion and her 
cause dearly. Like all the early ministers of the Pres- 
bytery, he labored under great inconveniences from the 
smallness of his salarv, and the difficulties that attend 
new fields of labor. He was a man of peace. He 
embarked in no partisan schemes, yet feeling that in 
congregational matters his own judgment was right, he 
generally managed to secure the success of his plans. 
This he did, not by open opposition, or dogmatic asser- 
tion of power, but by quietly removing obstacles out of 
the way, allaying prejudices, and meekly answering 
objections, until the way was open and the people sat- 
isfied. 

He had the usual prejudices of the times to meet 
with. One of these was, that relating to the subject 
of psalmody. During his ministry at Scrubgrass and 
Unity, he passed through the transition from the psalms 
of Bouse, to the psalms and hymns of Watts. He was 
anxious for a wider range of subject than was found 
in the former, and for the rich, evangelic strains that 
were found in the latter. But it required all his tact 



260 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

of quiet prudence and firm resolution, to bring about 
the change. And in this he was eminently successful. 

Mr. Riggs had eight children, five daughters and 
three sons. One of his sons, Cyrus Carpenter Riggs, 
D. D., is a member of the Presbytery of Beaver. His 
eldest daughter, Hannah Kiggs, was long a missionary 
to the Indians. She was one of the company of mis- 
sionaries that went to labor amongst the Ottowas, on 
the Maumee River. Of this company was Samuel 
Tait (3), pastor of the churches of Cool Spring, Salem, 
and Mercer, and famous in his day for missionary labor. 
In this missionary work did this devoted female labor, 
suffering hardships and privations of various kinds ; 
now from cold, and now from a scarcity of provisions, 
and again from repeated attacks of fever and ague, 
until the mission was broken up, eleven years after its 
establishment. This mission was inaugurated by the 
Synod of Pittsburgh, but was afterwards transferred to 
the American Board of Missions. 

It was the privilege of Mr. Riggs to labor up to the 
close of his pilgrimage. His last disease was paralysis. 
It came upon him as he sat in his study making prep- 
aration for preaching on the following Sabbath. The 
first shock was slight, and hardly perceptible. In the 
course of half an hour another shock fell upon him 
that prostrated him, and laid him helpless and speech- 
less. He lingered but three days, unable to communi- 
cate his ideas or feelings, when he passed away from 
his labors on earth to his reward on high. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 261 

(19.) RETD BRACKEN. 
1805-1849. 

Mr. Bracken was a fair specimen of the early 
pioneer ministers of the West. His early training had 
developed a stalwart physical constitution, and a faith 
and patience and self-denial that eminently adapted 
him to his great life-work — that of preaching the gos- 
pel to the destitute settlements. 

Reid Bracken was the son of Thomas and Anne 
(Shannon) Bracken, and was born in York County, 
Pennsylvania, in the year 1778. When he was an in- 
fant of six weeks old, his father removed with his family 
into Washington County, in the same State, and found a 
home in what was soon to become the congregation of 
Chartiers. The same year Rev. John McMillan began 
to preach statedly to the people of that neighborhood. 
Thomas Bracken was one of the first elders elected after 
the organization of the church, and his little son Reid, 
the subject of this sketch, the first child baptized in 
the congregation, and indeed the first male child baptized 
west of the Alleghany mountains. Mrs. Bracken, the 
mother of Reid, was a woman of strong good sense and 
great decision of character, and brought up her family 
in the fear of God. Mr. Bracken was a farmer, and 
accustomed to labor, and brought up his son to the 
same avocation, until he was nearly of age, when finding 
his mind inclined to study, and with a desire for prep- 
aration for the ministry, he furnished him with a Latin 
Grammar, and the work of preparation commenced. 

Reid Bracken graduated at Jefferson College in 1802, 
being a member of the first class that graduated after 
the College was chartered. His name stands at the 



262 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

head of the list, with the names of Johnston Eaton (20), 
William McMillan, and Israel Pickens, as classmates. 
Of course he studied theology with Dr. McMillan, and in 
due time was licensed to preach the gospel by the Pres- 
bytery of Ohio. This occurred on the 17th day of Oc- 
tober, 1805. He travelled one year in Ohio and Virginia, 
preaching to vacant churches. In the year 1806, he 
went to Butler County, Pa., where he received calls to 
the pastoral charge of the congregations of Mount Nebo 
and Plain. On the 20th day of October, 1807, he was 
received under the care of the Presbytery of Erie, and 
Isaiah liii. 11, middle clause, assigned him as a subject 
of trials for ordination. On the 20th day of April, 1808, 
he was ordained to the whole work of the ministry, and 
installed pastor of these churches. In these exercises, 
William Wood (10) preached the sermon, and Nicholas 
Pittinger (15) delivered the charges. In these congrega- 
tions he labored faithfully, giving one half of his time to 
each until October 7, 1819, when he was released from 
the Plain Church, and on the 28th of September, 1820, 
installed as pastor of Middlesex. His labors continued 
in the church of Middlesex until 1832, when he resigned, 
and became pastor of the church of Portersville. But 
during all these years he continued to give the half of 
his time to Mount Nebo, being pastor there for the 
period of thirty-seven years. About five years before 
his death he resigned his pastoral charge. He felt the 
infirmities of age coming upon him, and not being able 
to go in and out before the people as in his earlier 
days, give way to more vigorous laborers. Still he con- 
tinued to preach, as opportunity offered, until the close 
of his life. His last sermon to his old charge at Mount 
Nebo, was from the words of the Apostle, 1 Cor. xii. 27, 
u Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in par- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 263 

ticular." This discourse will long be remembered by 
that people. One week before his death, he rode ten 
miles and preached to one of his old congregations 
from the words, " They shall be mine, saith the Lord 
of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels." It 
was his last sermon, and so strong was the impression 
made upon the minds of his friends, that after he was 
laid in his last sleep, these words were engraved upon 
his tombstone. 

He was confined to his couch but a few days during 
his last illness. Three days previous to his decease, he 
was asked whether he had anything to say to his family 
previous to his departure. He addressed them as fol- 
lows, the words being taken down by one of the family 
at the time : — 

" My children, you are all here. It is a solemn time. 
From present appearances I am about to leave you, hav- 
ing served my generation, and am going to render up 
my account to my Judge. I have a comfortable hope of 
meeting my Savior in peace, and spending eternity in 
happiness. It is of the greatest consequence to have a 
hope that maketh not ashamed. It is my sincere desire 
that all my children should be prepared. 1 .... 
Give all diligence to make your calling and election 

sure Rely upon the merits of Christ as 

the only foundation of hope Now is the 

accepted time, now is the day of salvation. Salvation 
is free to all that will accept. Come unto me all ye 
that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you 
rest." 

This address was followed by a short and feeling 
prayer. And so he went down into the valley, leaning on 
the rod and staff of the Good Shepherd, and passed over 

1 Some of his words were inaudible. ' 



264 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

the river to dwell with God. He died on his farm in 
Butler County, Pa., on the 29th day of July, 1849, in 
the seventy-second year of his age and the forty-fourth 
of his ministry. 

Mr. Bracken was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
Graham, of Lexington, Va., on the 1st day of May, 
1806. She was the youngest daughter of that distin- 
guished servant of God, Rev. William Graham, founder 
of Washington College, Virginia, to whom frequent ref- 
erence is made in the life of Dr. Archibald Alexander. 
After a long and useful life, she went to rejoin her hus- 
band in eternal union, December 30, 1863, in the sev- 
enty-eighth year of her age. They had eight children. 
Mr. Bracken moved to Butler County when it was 
new and the people poor. Like his people, he com- 
menced in the woods, and by the labor of his own hands 
cut down the forest, and opened for himself a farm, 
which he afterwards cultivated with his own hands, to 
assist in the support of his family. His sons well re- 
member the time when his practice was, to labor in the 
fields five days in the week, and devote the Saturday to 
the work of preparation for the pulpit. He was a stal- 
wart man, and could excel most able-bodied men in 
laboring with an axe, or in the harvest-field. His phys- 
ical health was almost uniformly good ; and with all 
his labor on his farm his mind did not become secular- 
ized. 

He labored faithfully in the Master's field. Many 
churches were built up through the instrumentality of 
his labors. He was not a fluent speaker. He knew 
nothing of the eloquence that holds an audience spell- 
bound through the beauty of tropes, and the grand 
flow of fitly chosen words. Yet he could set forth Christ 
crucified with love and zeal and effect. He stood high 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 265 

in the estimation of his brethren, as a sound and earnest 
preacher of the New Testament. 

As a member of ecclesiastical courts, he was punctual 
and attentive. He seldom spoke, yet when he did, it 
was to the point, and his remarks always had great 
weight. 

He was one of the original members of the Presby- 
tery of Alleghany, and continued a member until his 
death. 

(20.) JOHNSTON EATON. 

1805-1847. 

Johnston Eaton, son of John Eaton, was born 
in Rocky Spring Congregation, Franklin County, Pa., 
on the 7th day of February, 1776. His ancestors had 
long been dwellers in Pennsylvania. An old patriarch, 
now deceased, related that he had seen five generations 
of the Eatons in that congregation. Little is now 
known of his early years, for he was quiet and reticent 
in regard to anything that concerned himself. In 
1801, he entered the Junior class of the College of 
New Jersey, where he remained one year, at the close 
of which, the college building being burned, he repaired 
to Cannonsburg, and entered the Senior class of Jeffer- 
son College, at which institution he graduated in the 
autumn of 1802, a member of the first class that grad- 
uated under the charter. His classmates were, Rev. 
Reid Bracken (19), Rev. William McMillan, D. D., 
President of Jefferson College, Israel Pickens, Gover- 
nor of Alabama, and Rev. John Rhea. 

His theological education was completed under the 
direction of Dr. John McMillan, when he was licensed 
to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Ohio, on the 
22d day of August, 1805. His constitution, naturally 



266 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

delicate and sensitive, being much broken, and his ener- 
gies weakened by laborious application, he determined 
to spend some time in travelling and visiting the desti- 
tutions of the West. After visiting Erie County, which 
was to be the scene of his future life-labors, he spent a 
year in the southern part of Ohio. In 1806 he re- 
turned to Erie County, and took up his abode there. 
His first sermon there was preached in a small log 
tavern at the mouth of Walnut Creek, kept by Captain 
Swan. The country at this time was literally a wilder- 
ness. The mighty, grand old forest, was hardly broken 
by the woodman's axe. There were not more than two 
or three churches in the county, and at the period of his 
coming, not a minister of any denomination. 

He was ordained by the Presbytery of Erie on the 
30th day of June, 1808. The services were held in 
William Sturgeon's barn, near the present site of the 
village of Fairview. Mr. Johnston (14) preached on the 
occasion, and Mr. Stockton (4) delivered the charges. 
He was installed at the same time pastor of the congre- 
gations of Fairview and Springfield, a relation he sus- 
tained to the former during the remainder of his life, 
a period of forty years. He was released from the 
charge of Springfield on the 8th of November, 1814. 
He then divided his time between Fairview, Erie, and 
North East. This arrangement continued until 1818, 
when North East was dropped, and his time divided 
between Erie and Fairview, until 1823. 

The fragment of an old journal recites something of 
his early experience : " Preached three months in the 
congregations of Fairview, Springfield, and Mill 
Creek (probably near Erie), beginning July, 1806, at 
ninety dollars per quarter." 

In the year 1813, during the war with Great Britain, 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 267 

he was employed as a government chaplain, and minis- 
tered to the troops stationed at Erie. He also preached 
for a portion of his time at Harbor Creek, Waterford, 
Washington, and McKean, in Erie County, Pa. He 
continued to labor in the conoreoation of Fairview until 
the close of his earthly toils. He met with his people 
for the last time in December, 1846, when feeling that 
it was the last time, he committed them to God and the 
word of his grace, when his people separated, not to 
meet again until they met to mingle their tears over his 
grave. 

His death took place, at what had been his earthly 
home for nearly forty years, on the 17th day of June, 
1847, in the seventy-second year of his age, and the 
forty-third of his ministry. His disease was paralysis, 
which not only prostrated his physical powers but 
greatly obscured his mental faculties. Yet he was not 
without the comforting presence of God. He who has 
said, u When thou passest through the waters, I will be 
with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not over- 
flow thee," was with him in the darkest hour of his 
pain and languishing. At times when the veil seemed 
lifted, his mind was full of peace and tranquillity. And 
so he passed away : a meek, quiet, humble, faithful min- 
ister of Jesus Christ. 

On the 30th of September, 1807, Mr. Eaton was 
united in marriage to Miss Eliza Canon, of Fayette 
County, Pa., a niece of Colonel John Canon, the founder 
of Cannonsburg. They had nine children : six sons 
and three daughters. One of the daughters died in 
childhood, the other children are living and members of 
the visible church. 

In person, Mr. Eaton was below the ordinary stature, 
about five feet seven in height, and always light and 



268 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

slender. He had a mild blue eye, with a tinge of sad- 
ness in its cast, nose approaching the aquiline, with thin 
brown hair, that did not become entirely gray in his old 
age. There was a nervous sensitiveness about him 
that rendered him particularly averse to anything like 
display or outward show of any kind. He had naturally 
quick sensibilities, that would have led many a man into 
occasional exhibitions of temper, but he possessed most 
admirable control over his feelings and could rule his 
own spirit in every emergency. 

He did not write his sermons, but preached from a 
brief skeleton, which was carefully drawn out and sys- 
tematized, and generally kept in his pocket-Bible whilst 
preaching. His sermons were all digested thoroughly 
before delivery, and presented with freedom and unc- 
tion. 

The Record of Presbytery, on occasion of his death, 
is in part, in these words : " He was uniformly meek, 
gentle, and forbearing, generous and hospitable. As a 
preacher, he was clear, logical, instructive, and evan- 
gelical, and eminently sound in the faith. In his death 
the Boards of our church, and the cause of benevolent 
effort for the salvation of a perishing world, have lost a 
devoted friend." 

One of his pupils 1 says of him : " He was one of 
the most conscientious persons I ever knew. He was 
highly esteemed by all who knew him for his suavity of 
manners and Christian consistency. He was a careful 
reader, an able theologian, and a correct thinker, and his 
mind, to work, must have arrangement. I owe more to 
him than to all other men for my place in the ministry, 
and my success too. The interest he took in me is to 
me unacountable. When a boy, he sought me out and 

l Rev. G. W. Hampson (43). 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 269 

gave me the course. I hope to meet him again. Till 
then no more. He rests from his labors." 

Says another correspondent, 1 who knew and appreci- 
ated him : " " In some respects Mr. Eaton and Mr. Doo- 
little were alike. They were both zealous ministers of 
Christ, uncompromising where duty was concerned, both 
determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him 
crucified, and both had great dignity of ministerial char- 
acter. But I think there was a certain genial humor 
about Mr. Eaton that Mr. Doolittle did not possess. He 
knew how to unbend without letting himself down, and 
could be, occasionally, both merry and witty. I think he 
was a man of great delicacy of feeling, and had a rev- 
erence almost sacred for the personality and conscious- 
ness of others. He possessed that manly attribute, a 4 
strong will, and was sometimes what people call set in 
his way, but at the same time his great kindness, his 
generosity and disinterestedness were more than an 
offset to that. I never knew a more honorable, just, 
generous, unselfish man. How well his people loved 
and reverenced him, you must know. I think the 
Scotch-Irish characteristics were strongly developed in 
him. He lived at a time when the church was in a 
transition state, or was becoming Americanized, and 
held firmly to the fathers." 

His mortal remains await the resurrection near the 
spot on which he was ordained nearly forty years before 
his death. 

(21.) JAMES BOYD. 

1807-1813. 

James Boyd, son of John and Mary (Fulton) Boyd, 
was the last of the four brothers to enter the ministry. 

1 Miss Jacks. 



270 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

He was born in Westmoreland County. Pa., in 1774. 
After studying with his pastor for a time, he went to 
Cannonsburg, and completed his classical studies at 
Jefferson College. He then studied theology with Dr. 
McMillan. He was taken under the care of the Pres- 
bytery of Erie, as a candidate for the ministry, on the 
10th of April, 1806, and assigned as a theme for a 
Latin exegesis, " An angeli per mortem Christi bene- 
facti sint ? " 

He was licensed to preach the gospel by the same 
Presbytery on the 22d day of April, 1807. He labored 
as a supply in various portions of the Presbytery, and 
in the autumn of 1808, having accepted calls from the 
churches of Newton and Warren, Ohio, was ordained 
and installed as their pastor at Warren, Ohio, on the 
19th day of October, 1808. In these services William 
Wick (2) preached the sermon, and Thomas Edgar 
Hughes (1) delivered the charges. On the next day 
he was dismissed to become one of the original mem- 
bers of the Presbytery of Hartford, now Beaver, which 
had been created that fall by the Synod of Pittsburgh. 

The congregations of Newton and Warren were his 
only charge. His ministry was brief. His labors were 
short. The purpose of his heart and the work of his 
hands were accepted, and he was called to a higher 
sphere of service above. Pie died at Warren, Ohio, on 
the 8th day of March, 1813, in the thirty-ninth year of 
his age, and the sixth of his ministry. His dust slum- 
bers with that of his people. 

Mr. Boyd was united in marriage to Miss Isabella 
Craig. They had three children, two sons and one 
daughter. 

A lady in Tarentum, Pa., still living, relates that she 
has seen all four of the Boyd brothers in the pulpit at 
the same time. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 271 

(22.) JOHN MATTHEWS. 

1809-1861. 

This old patriarch could say with one of old, " I am 
a stranger and a sojourner with you." His was essen- 
tially a missionary life. From youth to extreme old 
age, the lot ordained for him by Providence, was to 
labor in new settlements, found churches, and travel 
from place to place. Difficulties never seemed to be in 
the way, so as to discourage him. Hardships seemed 
to be his familiar friends, and to urge him on to labor. 
Yet withal, he lived to a good old age, and has left be- 
hind him a beautiful record of labor and self-denial, 
and sacrifice in the Master's service. 

John Matthews was the son of James and Prudence 
(Gordon) Matthews, and was born in Franklin County, 
Pa., on the 7th day of February, 1778. His parents 
were of the good old Scotch-Irish blood, and had 
brought their notions of duty and religion with them 
across the waters. And from such stock, ideas of faith 
and duty and practice do not readily change or run 
out. So we find the subject of this sketch carefully 
brought up and educated in the principles of our holy 
religion. 

He entered Jefferson College in the year 1805, and 
graduated in 1807, when he was nearly thirty years of 
age. After this he entered the only theological sem- 
inary that was then known west of the Alleghany 
mountains, namely, the little log-cabin of Rev. John 
McMillan, D. D. Here he studied patiently and per- 
severingly, writing out at full length a system of theol- 
ogy, taken from the Doctor's lectures. This system is 
still extant, and may be found amongst his papers. 



272 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presby- 
tery of Ohio, on the 22d day of June, 1809. On the 
26th of June, 1810, he presented a certificate of dismis- 
sion from the Presbytery of Ohio, and was received 
under the care of the Presbytery of Erie. At the 
same time calls were presented for his pastoral labors 
from the congregations of Waterford and Gravel Run. 
These calls were accepted, and on the 17th of October 
following, he was ordained and installed as their pastor. 
Robert Johnston (14) preached on the occasion, and 
Samuel Tait (3) presided and delivered the charges. 
On the 8th of November, 1814, he was released from 
his charge at Gravel Run, and employed the portion of 
his time appropriated there to the congregations of 
Conneautee and Union. On the 2d of April, 1817, his 
pastoral relation to Waterford was dissolved, and on 
the 15th of February following, he was dismissed from 
the Presbytery of Erie, to seek a connection with the 
Presbytery of Missouri. 1 

The missionary spirit abounded in the heart of Mr. 
Matthews, even at that early day, and he sought the 
release from his charges in Erie Presbytery, with the 
view r of itinerating in the great West. Many people 
from Western Pennsylvania were emigrating to the new 
regions of Illinois and Missouri, and the prospect 
seemed most inviting to go with them and assist in 
building up churches, and thus keep abreast with the 
swelling tide of emigration that was rolling thither. 

We quote from Wilson's "Pres. Historical Almanac," 
vol. iv. 102, 103 : "He started on his journey West, 
going down the Ohio River on a flat-boat as far as 
Louisville, Ky., then on horseback through Indiana by 
way of Vincennes, then through the territory of Illinois 

1 Old Minutes. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 278 

to St. Louis, Mo., where he met with Rev. Salmon Gid- 
dings, who was one of the first Presbyterian ministers 
who crossed the Mississippi River. From St. Louis he 
went up the Missouri River to St. Charles, and took 
charge of the church at Louisiana, Pike County, Mo., 
where he continued preaching and itinerating amongst 
the destitutions of that vicinity, until 1825." 

" In the fall of 1825 he settled at Apple Creek Church, 
in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. After remaining 
there about two years, he removed to Kaskaskia, Ran- 
dolph County, 111. At that place he served the church, 
and itinerated eight or ten years (sometimes teaching 
and farming, to eke out a meagre support, as some min- 
isters have to do yet in the West). He then served 
the Sugar Creek Church in Madison County, Illinois, 
about two years, and then returned to Missouri. 

" He spent one year in Missouri, and received a call 
to a church in Ohio, which he served four or five years, 
but which he was compelled to give up in consequence 
of the failure of his health. He then spent some time 
in Greenville, Mercer County, Pa., with his friends, 
preaching as occasion might offer, and his health per- 
mit. 

" After a few years' sojourn in Pennsylvania, his 
health having improved to some extent, he again re- 
turned to Missouri, where he rode and preached until 
his health again gave way. About ten or eleven years 
ago, he moved to Georgetown, Randolph County, 111., 
where he ended his days. For several years he preached 
but seldom, in consequence of the infirmities of age, 
and of a worn-out constitution." 

Mr. Matthews was one of the first ministers of the 
Presbyterian church in Missouri, and is justly regarded 
as one of the pioneers. At this time there was 3 noble 
18 



274 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

trio of men, Giddings, Matthews, and Flint, who were 
bending all their energies in order to bnild up the Re- 
deemer's kingdom in this new region. Of Matthews, a 
valued historian 1 says : " He was a workman that 
needed not to be ashamed, in labors most abundant, 
and, with all his itinerancy, a thorough student of 
theology." 

The labors of these men were most arduous. For 
several years after their arrival, there was but a single 
settled pastor in the territory. Says Gillett, " The bur- 
den, devolved upon Messrs. Giddings, Matthews, and 
Flint, was almost crushing. But the calm, resolute 
energy and self-possession of the first, and the untiring 
energies of the others did not give way." 

Mr. Matthews preached the opening sermon of the 
first Presbytery formed west of the Mississippi River ; 
also the opening sermon of Kaskaskia Presbytery in 
Illinois. 

But the Messenger came at last, and summoned him 
to his rest — " being old and full of days." 

A brother in the ministry 2 thus sums up his charac- 
ter : u Father Matthews, as he was usually called, Was 
a kind and affectionate husband, a warm-hearted and 
cheerful Christian, and was kind and obli^in^ to his 
neighbors. He enjoyed the company of his brethren 
and friends very much. He was punctual in the dis- 
charge of every known duty. He was a man of prayer, 
labored hard, and went through many hardships, trials, 
and privations which he endured with patience and 
Christian fortitude. 4 And now his labors are ended, 
and we trust he is at rest in heaven.' " 

His death was the result of the decay of his vital 

1 Gillett's History of the Presbyterian Church, ii. 430, 431. 

2 Rev. D. A. Wallace, in Pres. Ilist. Almanac. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 275 

powers, through old age, and the wearing out of his 
system by the labors of more than fourscore years. 
His death occurred at Georgetown, 111., on the 12th 
day of May, 1861, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. 
He was twice married. His first wife was Miss 
Nancy Bracken, of Cannonsburg, Pa. His second 
wife was Miss Anna Smith, of Missouri, who survives 
him. He had no children. 

(23.) ROBERT McGARRAUGH. 

1803-1839. 

Robert McGarraugh, the son of Joseph and Jane 
McGarraugh, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., 
on the 9th day of January, 1771. It is not known 
here how his early life was passed ; most probably in 
the quiet pursuits of agriculture. For a time he 
studied with Dr. James Dunlap, afterwards President of 
Jefferson College ; and for a time with Rev. David 
Smith, in the " forks of Yough." After this he was at 
the Cannonsburg Academy. He pursued his theolog- 
ical studies with Dr. McMillan, and was licensed to 
preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Redstone, Oc- 
tober 19, 1803. 

In the same year he visited the region that is now 
Clarion County, Pennsylvania, and preached for some 
time to the families that were settled there, and then 
returned to his family, then in Fayette County, Pa. 
Being invited to settle in the Clarion region, he gath- 
ered together his household effects, and with his family 
set out for the wilderness home, which he reached on 
the 1st of June, 1804. They were seven or eight days 
making the journey, which was performed on horseback. 
The mother and two of the children rode on one horse. 



276 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

All the kitchen furniture was packed upon another, 
" Old Dick," and the oldest son, John, mounted upon 
the top of this. Thus accoutred, Mr. McGarraugh 
sought the field of his labor. They were detained one 
day at Mahoning, and another at Red Bank Creek, as 
they were obliged to make canoes to get across, in the 
meanwhile swimming their horses. The first year the 
family lived in a log-cabin, twelve or sixteen feet square, 
having a door made of chestnut bark. 

Mr. McGarraugh was the first Presbyterian minister 
who preached the gospel east of the Alleghany River, 
in what is now Clarion County. He was ordained by 
the Presbytery of Redstone on the 12th of November, 
1807, and installed pastor of the churches of New Re- 
hoboth and Licking. 

On the 4th of October, 1811, he was, with his con- 
gregations, detached from the Presbytery of Redstone, 
by the Synod of Pittsburgh, and connected with the 
Presbytery of Erie. On the 3d of April, 1822, his 
pastoral relation was dissolved with New Rehoboth 
and Licking. He labored after this time at Calensburg, 
Concord, and some other places to the time of his 
death. He was one of the original members of the 
Presbytery of Alleghany. 

Mr. McGarraugh died in Perry Township, Clarion 
County (then Armstrong), Pa., on the 17th day of July, 
1839, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and the thirty- 
sixth of his ministry. Of him his successor 1 in the 
pastoral work says, " He was an humble, faithful, godly, 
self-denying, and laborious minister of the gospel ; who 
labored long and well, and laid deep the foundations of 
Presbyterianism in this region of country." 

He was not a man of remarkable ability, nor was he 
1 Rev. James Montgomery. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 277 

blessed with the gift of eloquence. But he had at 
heart the good of immortal souls, and the glory of the 
kingdom of Christ. He was not afraid of hardships ; 
he did not love money ; he sought not human applause. 
And so he was adapted to his field of labor. He 
pleased the people, and God was with him. He was a 
plain, unassuming man, intent only on this one thing — 
to stand in his lot and do his duty. And thus he lived, 
and to-day his memory is fragrant, whilst that of more 
highly gifted men is a by-word. To-day his record is 
higher than the stars, for it is written in God's great 
book of remembrance. 

On the 10th of December, 1795, he was united 
in marriage to Miss Levina Stille. She was born 
March 30, 1773, and brought up in Washington Coun- 
ty, Pa. Her father was from New Jersey. They had 
seven children, four daughters, and three sons ; some 
of whom have passed away from earth. 

(24.) IRA CONDIT. 
1811-1836. 

Ira Condit was a native of New Jersey. He was 
born near Morristown, and in the same county with 
Cyrus Kiggs (18) and John Munson (28), on the 6th 
day of March, 1772. Of his early life little is pre- 
served. He was a modest, unassuming* man, and think- 
ing that there was little of interest in his early life, has 
left nothing on record. But he is known to have been 
an earnest, conscientious Christian, as well as a devoted 
minister of Christ, and we may well suppose that his 
early life was passed in quietness and peace, standing 
in his lot as best he could. 

His early life was that of a farmer, and even before 



278 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

entering upon the preparation for the ministry had had 
experience of the rough life of the new settlements, and 
of the hardships of the frontier. In the year 1798 he 
emigrated to Mercer County, Pa., and settled within a 
mile of where the Fairfield church now stands, little 
knowing that there was to be the scene of his future 
labors in the Lord's spiritual vineyard. He does not 
seem at that time to have thought of the ministry, for 
his great work appears to have been to open up a farm 
and erect for himself a home and a fireside, where 
he might spend his life comfortably and usefully. 

About the year 1800 he went to Washington County, 
Pa., where he was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
Miller, whose father was afterwards a member of Amity 
church. With his wife he returned to his farm on 
Sandy Creek, settling down to the peaceful life of a 
farmer, but no doubt oppressed with the destitution and 
want of spiritual privileges that characterized the 
country. He made a profession of religion May 10, 
1802, and became a member of the church of Fair- 
field, of which he was afterwards pastor. For three 
years after his marriage he continued to cultivate his 
modest acres, when a voice that perhaps for some time 
had been heard in the deep chambers of his heart, con- 
strained him to resolve to begin at once preparation for 
the gospel ministry. 

For him to resolve, was to act. So in 1803 he leaves 
his little farm, moves his family to Cannonsburg, and 
commences his studies, where he graduated in 1808, 
After graduation he moved with his family to a farm 
belonging to his brother, about seven miles from Wash- 
ington, where he commenced the study of theology 
under the direction of Dr. McMillan, and his pastor, 
Rev. George M. Scott, supporting his family in the 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 279 

mean time by teaching a school in the neighborhood. 
His eldest son remembers distinctly a well-beaten path 
on a knoll near the house, where the divinity student 
was in the habit of walking back and forth whilst en- 
gaged in his studies. A church was afterwards built on 
the same spot. 

After completing his studies, he was licensed to 
preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Ohio, on the 
17th day of October, 1811. The first year of his labor 
was spent as a missionary, itinerating amongst the 
vacant churches and destitute settlements of Washing- 
ton County. An incident that occurred during this 
missionary work, illustrates the character of the man. 
When returning home from a tour, he was about cross- 
ing the Monongahela River in. a ferry boat. There was 
a stranger wishing to cross at the same time, but being 
without money, the ferryman refused to take him over. 
Mr. Condit gave him all the money he had in his pos- 
session, and trusted to Providence for the supply of his 
wants on his way home. He had not proceeded far on 
his way before he met a man who owed him some mon- 
ey, but which he never expected to receive. The man 
voluntarily paid him the debt. 

In 1812, Mr. Condit moved back to Sandy Creek, 
where he had first erected his home in the wilderness, 
and after preaching for some time in the vacant churches, 
accepted calls from the congregations of Fairfield and 
Big Sugar Creek. His ordination took place at Big 
Sugar Creek, on the 8th day of November, 1814. Rev. 
Robert Johnston (14) preached on the occasion, and 
Rev. Samuel Tait (3) delivered the charges. Fairfield 
church had been organized near the place where Mr. 
Condit had originally settled as a farmer, and Sugar 
Creek was perhaps fifteen miles distant. 



280 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

In April, 1827, he accepted calls to the congregation 
of Georgetown, or Upper Sandy as it was then called. 
This call is still in existence, and is a curiosity in its 
way. It is for one third of the minister's time, and pro- 
ceeds in the ordinary orthodox way : " And that you 
may be free from worldly cares and avocations, we 
hereby promise and oblige ourselves to pay to you the 
sum of one hundred dollars, in regular half-yearly pay- 
ments, one third in cash and two thirds in produce, dur- 
ing the time of your being and continuing the regular 
pastor of this church." 

« He was afterwards installed for a portion of his time 
over the congregation of Amity. This charge was re- 
linquished April 22, 1829. In June of the same year, 
he accepted a call to the . congregation of Cool Spring, 
for one third of his time, and was installed June 24, 
1829. In this united charge, Fairfield, one of his orig- 
inal charges, Georgetown, and Cool Spring, he labored 
until he was released by death. 

Mr. Condit was a man of robust health. During his 
whole ministry of twenty-five years, he lost but two 
Sabbaths by sickness. In person he was tall and erect, 
being over six feet in height, of a sanguine tempera- 
ment, and with a grave and solemn countenance. He 
was always extremely diffident, particularly in the ear- 
lier years of his ministry. He was not gifted in con- 
versation, although of a social nature and domestic 
habits. Still he always had a word for Christ on all 
proper occasions. He has left behind him a name that 
is like precious ointment, and his memory is dearly 
cherished by all who knew him. 

As a preacher he was not eloquent. Nor was he 
gifted in the art of sermonizing. He was. however, 
very solemn and impressive in his manner, which gave 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 281 

great weight to his words. His people loved to hear 
him preach, for he broke to them the Bread of Life, 
with all sincerity and solemnity and love. He has left 
behind him a few manuscripts of sermons, but he did 
not often, nor perhaps ever, after the first few years of 
his ministry, write out his discourses. Several hundred 
skeletons of sermons remain amongst his papers, giving 
an idea of his taste in sermonizing. He always preached 
from notes, holding a small Bible in his hand, containing 
the heads of his discourse. He used little action, nor 
had he much variety in tone of voice, but simply de- 
livered the message, and trusted to no meretricious 
adornment of style or manner to enforce the truth. 

Mr. Condit was the father of thirteen children. Two 
of these died in infancy, and one at the age of thirteen, 
and ten grew up to maturity. About a year previous 
to his death, he removed to Georgetown, and lived in 
a house that was under the same roof with that of his 
eldest son. His death was sudden, and occurred Oc- 
tober 24, 1836, from typhoid fever. This disease en- 
tered his and his eon's families together. Eight mem- 
bers of the two households lay sick together, of whom 
four died. Mr. Condit was sick but eight days. He and 
his son Samuel, who was studying for the ministry, both 
died the same day and were buried in the same grave. 
His wife died soon after. 

His remains find rest in the cemetery connected with 
the Fairfield church. His monument is seen facing 
the edifice in which he preached so many years, bear- 
ing the usual inscription, with the following homely yet 
terse lines, composed by a Rev. Mr. Smith, — 

"In yonder sacred house I spent my breath; 
Now slumbering here I lie in death. 
This sleeping dust shall rise and yet declare, 
A dread Amen to doctrines published there," 



282 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Mr. Condit was the grandfather of Rev. Ira M. Con- 
dit, a missionary of the Presbyterian Board to China. 

(25.) AMOS CHASE. 
1786-1849. 

Amos Chase was a native of New England. He was 
born in Sutton, near Boston, Mass., on the 12th day of 
May, 1760. When he was four years of age, his father 
moved to Cornish, N. H., and settled in the. valley of 
the Connecticut River, at that time a dense wilderness. 
At the age of sixteen, he entered Dartmouth College, 
with the view of preparing himself for the life of a 
physician. But there was a different course marked 
out for him by the hand of Providence. The training 
that was begun in the wilderness of New Hampshire, 
must be put into practice in the wilderness of Northwest- 
ern Pennsylvania. 

He became a subject of a revival that occurred in the 
College and surrounding country, in connection with the 
labors of Rev. Mr. Whitefield. His thoughts now ran 
in a different channel. He devoted himself to the ser- 
vice of God, and listening to the earnest call for labor- 
ers in the great vineyard, made a solemn consecration 
of himself to the work of the gospel ministry. 

After taking his first degree in the arts in 1780, he 
commenced the study of theology, under the direction of 
Dr. Nathaniel Emmons, of Boston. His theological 
studies were completed under the direction of Levi Hart, 
D. D., of Preston, Connecticut. He was licensed to 
preach the gospel by the South Association of Connecti- 
cut, and after some time spent in proving his gifts, was 
ordained by the same association at Litchfield, Connecti- 
cut, on the 27th day of June, 1787. In these services, 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 283 

his preceptor, Dr. Hart, preached the sermon. 1 Here 
he commenced his work as pastor of the church at 
Litchfield South Farms, which continued for twenty-six 
years. In this field he was content to labor and practice 
self-denial, striving to live and educate a growing family 
upon a meagre salary, until forced to look for a different 
place of labor. The temporal interests of his family as 
well as the spiritual interests of his people, were a part 
of his burden, and he began to look to the West as an 
inviting field of labor. 

The great Holland Land Company, at that time, were 
in possession of Vast quantities of land, in Northwestern 
Pennsylvania, that they were anxious to have brought 
into market. To this end they offered inducements to 
clergymen to go out and settle in the territory they 
were opening up. Worldly prudence and a desire for 
the spiritual welfare of the people were mingled to- 
gether in unequal proportions, and so some of the 
agents of the company made overtures to Mr. Chase 
looking to the removal of his family and the es- 
tablishment of himself in the wilds of Pennsylvania. 
The motives held forth were, the wide field of useful- 
ness in a new country and in the midst of a destitute 
people, the founding of churches, and general mission- 
ary work ; together with the prospect of bettering his 
worldly circumstances. It was not kept out of view, 
however, that the company were to be benefited by the 
minister's removal, by inducing others to accompany or 
to follow him to the new country. And so the minis- 
ter went to the new country, found the wide, rough 
field of labor, a loud call for the preaching of the gos- 
pel, and earnest toil in building up Zion, but not the 
pecuniary advantages that had been promised. Still he 
labored and was content. 

1 Sprague's Annals. 



284 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

The people of his old charge were much attached to 
him, and were unwilling to part with him. They pro- 
posed raising his salary, feeling that under his pastorate 
they had been most abundantly prospered. But the 
path of duty seemed plain, and at his own request, he 
was dismissed from his pastoral charge in 1814, and in 
the month of February, 1815, with his family, he set his 
face toward the West. 

The association that dismissed him reported that he 
" had proved himself a workman that need not be 
ashamed : that the parish from a low estate of morality 
and religion, had become, under his ministrations, as a 
city set on a hill." 

To the same effect is the testimony of an old parish- 
ioner, after his removal westward : " How much good, 
under God, Mr. Chase did, the world will never know. 
Think of South Farms, a place, when he went there, of 
comparative ignorance and vice, addicted to all kinds of 
vulgarity, debasing amusements, and dissipation ; but 
raised during his residence there to respectability and 
intelligence, and what is still better, become the devoted 
worshippers of the living God." 

The land of promise to which Mr. Chase had re- 
solved to emigrate was the northeastern part of Craw- 
ford County, Pa., in the neighborhood of what is now 
the city of Titusville. It was not a promising region 
then. On his first visit, the preceding summer, he 
found partially improved farms, with forsaken habita- 
tions, fields on which crops had been raised, but of 
which nothing now remained but decaying fences, and 
girdled trees standing in their nakedness, as monuments 
of wasted strength and disappointed hopes. Many who 
yet remained were preparing to leave the country as an 
accursed place. But Mr. Chase encouraged them to re- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 285 

main, by assuring them that many families were on their 
way to the country ; and as the want of schools was 
very much complained of, assured them that his daugh- 
ters had signified their willingness to teach, if in that way 
they could be useful. With these assurances many were 
deterred from leaving, and a new impulse was given to 
the growth and prosperity of the country. 

Here he pitched his tent and girded himself for labor. 
The whole country round was a spiritual desert. To 
one of his brethren in the East who had w 7 ritten him for 
a particular account of his circumstances and labors, he 
writes : " Take a map and stand with me a moment at 
Centerville, at the upper forks (navigable by law) of Oil 
Creek, and look an hundred miles to the east, north- 
east, and southeast, and there is no minister of Jesus 
Christ. Look again southwest, west, and northwest, 
and there are three ministers of our order, each minis- 
tering to three or four congregations. Who would not 
be ready to say, ' Who is sufficient for these things ? ' 
Being thus set down in the valley of dry bones, in the 
open valley and very dry, who would not tremble ? My 
poor, feeble labors were, during the past year, distrib- 
uted to encourage churches, congregations, and schools 
over an extent of country not less than one hundred miles 
between Buffalo and the Alleghany River. They were 
very general and without much effect save that of fur- 
nishing myself with an extensive knowledge of men and 
things in this region. My labors since have been more 
particular and their effects more evident." 

On the 27th day of June, 1815, Mr. Chase was re- 
ceived into the Presbytery of Erie, as a member. For 
eleven years he took no regular pastoral charge, but 
acted as the missionary of Presbytery, particularly in 
portions of Crawford, Warren, and Venango counties. 



286 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

In the year 1815, he organized the churches of Oil 
Creek and Centerville. Of the first of these churches, 
he says : u A church was gathered, elders and trustees 
selected, and the sealing ordinances administered. The 
congregation, about two hundred, have continued to ap- 
pear solemn as well as punctual. The place I speak of 
is ten miles below Centerville (the present site of Titus- 
ville), at which place I have also gathered a congrega- 
tion, where there never was a meeting of any Protest- 
ant denomination before." 

The labors of Mr. Chase, during these long years of 
watching and toil, w r ere most exhausting. With his nu- 
merous family in the midst of the forest, his sons yet in 
their minority and needing his care and supervision, 
and the people scattered and poor, so that they could 
do little for his support, no wondef that his brave heart 
was well-nigh crushed. He had hoped for encourage- 
ment and support from his brethren in Connecticut, but 
a change in his church relations had abated their zeal. 
He writes : u The appeal in my behalf to the mission- 
ary society of Connecticut, was not encouraged. . . . 
If not much deceived, I have taken possession of this 
extensive field of missionary labor, in the name of 
the Lord, without the support of a missionary, but still 
remembering that the silver and the gold are the 
Lord's." Subsequently he received a commission from 
the Assembly's Board of Missions for one year. 

In the year 1820, Mr. Chase represented the Presby- 
tery of Erie in the General Assembly, and in 1825, was 
its moderator. On the 24th day of May, 1826, he was 
installed as pastor of the church of Oil Creek for one 
half his time, and on the 27th of April, 1827, he w T as 
installed at Centerville for one fourth of his time, leav- 
ing a remaining fourth for missionary labor. These re- 
lations were dissolved in 1830. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 287 

He was now in his seventieth year, and the infirmi- 
ties of age were coming upon him. Still his frame was 
erect and massive, and he felt that much missionary la- 
bor might yet be accomplished. The remainder of his 
days was spent in .those itinerating labors to which he 
had devoted the strength of his manhood. 

Mr. Chase was a social, friendly man, and his Chris- 
tian character always above reproach. As a preacher, 
he abounded in aphorisms. His discourses were rich 
and full of thought, but often like Proverbs, abounding 
in short sententious utterances that sparkled with truth, 
drawn from the mine of sacred writ. ( Perhaps this 
style of speaking became more prominent during his 
labors as a missionary. The people wer.e not accus- 
tomed to labored disquisitions, or elaborately written 
discourses, and preferred to have a preacher come to 
the point at once. 

In figure and bearing Mr. Chase was noble and 
commanding. Tall and stout without being corpulent, 
in his missionary tours he sat his horse like a cavalier 
of old. In his old age he presented a peculiarly patri- 
archal appearance. He w r as a useful man in his day, 
and the now celebrated oil regions are yet reaping the 
benefit of his self-denying labors. 

Mr. Chase was twice married. He was first married 
to Rebecca, daughter of Rev. Levi Hart, D. D., his old 
preceptor at Preston, Connecticut. She was also a 
granddaughter of the celebrated Dr. Bellamy of Bethle- 
hem, Connecticut. This marriage- took place on the 
30th day of November, 1788. Mrs. Chase died on the 
25th day of February, 1791, in the 26th year of her age, 
He was married the second time to Joanna, daughter of 
Peter Lanman, Esq., Norwich, Connecticut, June 10, 
1792. Mrs. Chase was his companion for more than 



288 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

half a century, comforting him in his sorrows and en- 
couraging him in his labors, until August, 1848, when 
she was called to rest. The children consisted of six 
sons and six daughters, who were a comfort to them in 
their old age and are useful in their day and generation. 
Mr. Chase survived his wife but little over a year, when 
he too fell asleep. His death occurred at Centerville, 
Crawford County, Pa., December 23, 1849, in the nine- 
tieth year of his age, and sixty-third year of his ministry. 
At the division of the Presbytery of Erie, in 1838, 
Mr. Chase chose his membership, in connection with 
the New School portion of the church. 

(26.) JOHN REDICK. 

1813-1850. 

John Redick, son of John and Elizabeth (Sorrell) 
Redick, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., about 
the year 1787. His father's family resided near Han- 
nastown at the time of the Indian troubles, and with 
his neighbors suffered grievously from their depreda- 
tions. On one occasion, when the neighborhood had 
been alarmed, and the people taken refuge in the fort, 
his father was wounded in the arm and permanently 
disabled, whilst crossing a fence near the fort. This 
was at the time Hannastown was burned. After this 
his father sold his farm and removed to Butler County, 
Pa., near the line of Venango County, and about one 
and a half miles from the Alleghany River. Here 
John Redick was raised, working on the farm and as- 
sisting in the support of the family. After he had at- 
tained to years of manhood, a circumstance of a prov- 
idential kind took place, that was the means of bringing 
him into the ministry. He with others were about 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 289 

crossing the Alleghany River on a hunting excursion. 
His companions had seated themselves in the canoe, 
when young Redick placed his gun in the canoe, took 
hold of the bow, and was in the act of pushing it from 
the shore, when the gun went off and wounded him 
severely in the limb. His father, supposing he would 
never be able to labor, proposed educating him as well 
as his means w r ould permit. 

The probabilities are, that before this he had made a 
profession of religion. He commenced his studies with 
Robert Johnston (14), who was then pastor of the 
church of Scrubgrass. This was in company with sev- 
eral other students — Hon. Walter Lowrie, Rev. James 
Wright, Rev. Alexander Crawford, and others. He 
afterwards went to the academy at Greersburg, now 
Darlington, Beaver County, Pa. His theological studies 
were pursued under the direction of Mr. Johnston, who 
was probably his pastor. No doubt a part of the train- 
ing consisted in copying the system of theology, or lec- 
tures of Rev. Dr. McMillan, that was the chief staple 
with the early fathers of the Presbytery of Erie. 

Having preached a trial discourse on John iv. 18, as 
well as passed other usual trials, he was licensed to 
preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Erie at its 
sessions at Meadville, Pa., on the 20th day of October, 
1813. He was ordained by the same Presbytery on 
the 28th day of September, 1815, and installed as pas- 
tor of the united congregations of Slate Lick and Union, 
in Armstrong County, Pa. This meeting was at the 
former place. On the occasion, his old preceptor, Rob- 
ert Johnston (14), preached the sermon, and John Mc- 
Pherrin (16) delivered the charges. 

lie continued the beloved faithful pastor of these 
churches until the autumn of 1848, when he resigned 
19 



290 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

his charge on account of the infirmities of age and in- 
ability to discharge the duties of the pastoral office. 
He did not continue long upon earth after the resigna- 
tion of his charge. Growing infirmities pressed upon 
him, until on the 11th day of July, 1850, he fell asleep 
in Jesus, in the seventy- third year of his age, and 
thirty-seventh of his ministry. His mortal remains 
await the resurrection in the little graveyard attached 
to the Slate Lick Church. 

About the year 1812, Mr. Redick was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Betsey Coulter, a sister of Rev. John 
Coulter, of the Presbytery of Alleghany. They had 
five sons and four daughters. Mrs. Redick was a model 
wife for a minister, and was throughout their journey 
together a most useful helpmeet to her husband. Mr. 
Redick was a plain, practical preacher, and a pious, 
godly man. His great aim was to do the Master's 
work and win souls to Christ. Through his instru- 
mentality, the churches of his charge were greatly 
strengthened and built up. He spent his entire pastoral 
life in their service, and was entirelv devoted to their 
welfare. His memory will long be fragrant in their 
midst. 

(27.) TIMOTHY ALDEN. 

1798-1839. 

Timothy Alden was of Puritan ancestry. He was 
a descendant of John Alden, of Duxbury, who came in 
the "Mayflower," to seek his fortune on the bleak 
shores of New England. He was the son of Rev. Tim- 
othy and Sarah Weld Alden. Rev. Timothy Alden, 
his father, was born November 24, 1736, old style, 
graduated at Harvard, 1762, ordained pastor of the 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 291 

Congregational Church of Yarmouth, Mass., December 
15, 1769, and died November 13, 1828. His mother 
was Sarah, daughter of Rev. Habijah Weld, of Attle- 
boro', Mass., lineally descended, according to Guil- 
lim, from Edrich Igloaticus, Anglicized Wild or Weld, 
and in the maternal line, from John Fox, the Martyrol- 
ogist. Rev. Habijah Weld was graduated at Harvard, 
1723. He was the son of Rev. Thomas Weld, gradu- 
ated at Harvard, 1671. Timothy Alden, the subject of 
this sketch, was also great-grandson of Rev. John Fox, 
who graduated at Harvard, 1698, who was the son of 
Rev. Jabez Fox, who graduated at Harvard, 1665. 

Timothy Alden, the subject of this sketch, was born at 
Yarmouth, Mass., on the 28th day of August, 1771. At 
the age of eight years, he left the paternal home, and 
went to reside with an uncle, where he continued until 
his fifteenth year. The design was to train him to the 
business of farming, his uncle being engaged in that 
pursuit. His uncle had made him the promise that his 
valuable farm should be his inheritance if he would re- 
main with him. But young Alden thought of a differ- 
ent avocation from that of cultivating the soil. Even 
in boyhood he was resolutely bent on securing a liberal 
education. When sent into the fields to work, he would 
carry his Latin grammar with him, and in the midst of 
declensions and conjugations, forget all about his corn 
and his oxen. Under these circumstances, his uncle 
wrote to the father of the lad, telling him that the proj- 
ect of making a farmer of him was vain, and advising 
to send him to college. 

His preparatory course commenced when he was 
about fifteen, first with his father, and afterwards at 
Philips' Academy, at Anclover. It is supposed that 
hu mind took a religious direction whilst he was at 



292 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Andover. He entered Harvard in 1790, and graduated 
in 1794. Whilst at college, he took and maintained a 
very high position as a linguist. He was particularly 
fond of the Oriental languages, and carried this taste 
beyond the ordinary curriculum of the institution. At 
the Commencement, his graduating oration was written 
in the Syriac language. It is said, that when he sub- 
mitted this oration to the President for his approval, 
the President, being altogether ignorant of the lan- 
guage, said, " Come Alden, sit down and construe it 
for me." When reduced to the form of good Anglo- 
Saxon, it was heartily approved. 

The probabilities are that he engaged somewhat in 
the study of theology during his collegiate course, and 
that he remained at Cambridge for a short time after 
graduating. We next find him teaching at Marblehead, 
Mass., and whilst there, he was licensed to preach the 
gospel. In the year 1799, he preached with the view 
of settlement at Portsmouth, N. H., and on the 20th of 
November of that year, was ordained as co-pastor with 
Dr. Haven, over the church of that place. 

The church was not strong, and the salary being in- 
adequate, he commenced teaching a young ladies' school 
in the spring of 1800, in connection with his pastoral 
labors. Wearied with this double burden, and discour- 
aged with the prospects before him in Portsmouth, he 
resigned his charge, and was dismissed July 31, 1805. 
He still continued his labors as a teacher, however, 
until 1808, when he left Portsmouth, and opened a 
ladies' school in Boston. Here he was highly appre- 
ciated and his efforts liberally sustained. In this city, 
his learned and antiquarian tastes had a fine field for 
their exercise and cultivation, and he rendered some 
very important services to the cause of science. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 293 

In 1809, Mr. Alden resigned his position in Boston, 
and in the beginning of the following year, took charge 
of the young ladies' department in the academy at 
Newark, N. J. After continuing there some years, he 
opened a school for young ladies in the city of New 
York. 

About the year 1815, the project was agitated of 
founding a college at Meadville, Pa. In this enter- 
prise, Mr. Alden enlisted with great zeal and earnest- 
ness. He gave up his school in New York, and became 
the agent for the new institution. During the many 
journeys taken in behalf of Alleghany College, he was 
offered the presidency of the college at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, with liberal pecuniary inducements. These were 
declined, as he was for the present at least pledged to 
Alleghany. Having accepted the offices both of Presi- 
dent and Professor in the Faculty, he was inaugurated 
on the 28th day of July, 1817. 

Mr. Alden became a member of the Presbytery of 
Erie on the 2d day of April, 1816. During the period 
of his membership in the Presbytery of Erie, he had 
no regular charge. He preached to the Presbyterian 
congregation of Meadville at times when they were 
vacant, and often supplied vacant congregations in the 
neighborhood. He delighted in missionary work, and 
for many successive years labored for a time among the 
Seneca and Munsee Indians, who had reservations in 
northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern New 
York. These labors were at first performed on his 
own account, but afterwards he received an appointment 
from an eastern society, organized for the purpose of 
sending the gospel to the Indians. He enjoyed these 
labors very much. During his tours he became ac- 
quainted with the celebrated chief Cornplanter, and 



294 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

enjoyed his protection and friendship. This was in 
Warren County, Pa. 

Mr. Alden's last missionary tour among the Indians, 
was in 1820. He had a great admiration for their 
character, and enjoyed his labors among them, not only 
from the opportunities of doing good, but from studying 
their character in their forest homes. 

Mr. Alden was a valuable friend to Alleghany Col- 
lege. It was mainly through his instrumentality that 
its valuable library and chemical apparatus was col- 
lected. Through his acquaintance in New England, 
one or two private libraries of great value were obtained 
and added to the catalogue. Many of these volumes 
are rare and valuable. His connection with the college 
terminated in November, 1831. He retired from the 
position he had so long occupied, with the grateful ac- 
knowledgments of the Board of Trustees, and others 
interested in the institution, as well as the kindest feel- 
ings of the community. 

In the month of April, 1832, he was dismissed 
from the Presbytery of Erie to connect with the Pres- 
bytery of Cincinnati. He removed his family to Cin- 
cinnati in June, 1832, and opened a boarding-school. 
The health of some of the members of his family suf- 
fering at this place, he removed to East Liberty, near 
Pittsburgh, Pa., in the autumn of 1833, and the next 
spring took charge of the academy at that place. Here, 
as at other places, he embraced every opportunity of 
preaching the gospel in vacant churches. In the year 
1838, he became stated supply to the congregation of 
Pine Creek, about five miles from Pittsburgh. Being 
of a vigorous constitution, he was able to perform as 
much labor as many who were his juniors in years, and 
enjoyed good health up to within a few months of his 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 295 

death, when he was attacked by rheumatism. His last 
sermon was preached from the words, " The end of all 
things is at hand." 

During his last illness, when the prospect of recovery 
seemed to fade away, " a dark cloud for some time 
rested over his mind, and he looked forward with awful 
apprehensions to the change that awaited him. That 
cloud, however, soon passed off, and those apprehen- 
sions yielded to an humble confidence in his Redeemer, 
which quickly became so strong as to cast out all fear, 
and even to fill his mind with the most intense rapture. 
In this state he continued until the moment of his 
departure." * 

He died at the house of his daughter, Mrs. J. B. Me- 
Fadden, in Pittsburgh, Pa., on the 5th day of July, 1839, 
in the sixty-eighth year of his age, and the forty-first 
of his ministry. His remains were laid to rest in the 
cemetery connected with the Pine Creek Church, where 
his last pastoral labors were performed. 

As a teacher and professor, Mr. Alden stood deserv- 
edly high, not only in the extent of his knowledge, but 
in the faculty of communicating it to others. As a 
preacher, his appearance in the pulpit was imposing, 
his manner of delivery on the whole pleasing, yet 
rather monotonous, and at times rather rapid. " As a 
man, he was affable and social, his conversation agree- 
able and instructive. As a minister, his public min- 
istrations were respectable, but lacking in earnestness 
and energy. His prayers were beautiful in construc- 
tion, but without variety. His sermons were written 
with care, but read with little action, and monotonous 
in tone. He was a good man." 2 

Besides many occasional sermons and addresses, Mr. 

i Sprague's Annals. 2 j onn Reynolds, Esq. 



296 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Alden published, in 1814, " A Collection of American 
Epitaphs" in five volumes, 18mo., and in 1827, a " His- 
tory of Sundry Missions," and in 1821, a " Hebrew 
Catechism." 

Mr. Alden was twice married : first to Miss Eliza- 
beth Shepard Wormsted, of Marblehead, Mass. She 
died at Meadville, Pa., April, 1820. She was the 
mother of five children, three daughters and two sons. 
The sons were educated at Meadville. One was sup- 
posed to have been lost at sea, the other, T. J. Fox 
Alden, was a lawyer of eminence at the Pittsburgh 
bar. In 1822, he was married the second time, to 
Sophia Louisa L. Mulcock, of Philadelphia. By her he 
had one daughter. 

(28.) JOHN MUNSON. 

1816-1866. 

John Munson, son of Daniel and Susanna (Drake) 
Munson, was born in Morris County, New Jersey, on 
the 22d day of February, 1784. His father died in 
1790, when John was but six years of age. His father's 
death took place in Herkimer County, New York, where 
his mother was left a widow among strangers. After 
some time his mother married again, and with her hus- 
band and family removed to Lycoming County, Pa. 
This was when John was eleven years of age. His 
mother was a pious woman, and hearing what the Lord 
was doing in the outpouring of his Spirit in Western 
Pennsylvania, felt a great desire to place her family 
within the sphere of religious influence. Accordingly 
the family removed to Beaver County in 1806. His 
mother lived to see her husband and seven children re- 
ceived into the communion of the church, and one of 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 297 

her sons a minister of the gospel. She died in 1838, in 
the seventy-ninth year of her age. John Munson did 
not make a profession of religion until perhaps his 
twenty-fifth year. 

He pursued his literary studies at the Greersburg 
Academy, under the direction of Rev. Thomas Edgar 
Hughes (1), with whom he also studied theology. He 
was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of 
Hartford (now Beaver), on the 16th day of October, 
1816. From this Presbytery, he was received by that of 
Erie in 1817. Having accepted calls from the congre- 
gations of Plaingrove and Center, he was ordained at 
Plaingrove, by the Presbytery of Erie, on the 25th of 
February, 1818, and installed as pastor of these churches. 
In these services Amos Chase (25) preached the sermon, 
and John McPherrin (1 6) delivered the charges. He 
was set off with others to form the new Presbytery of 
Alleghany in 1820. His pastoral relation to Plaingrove 
was dissolved February 6, 1838, when he gave all his 
time to Center. The latter charge he resigned June 
28, 1859, after a pastorate of forty-one years. 

Soon after this, growing infirmities prevented him 
from engaging in much public labor. His last sufferings 
were protracted and severe. Says a co-presbyter : * 
" He was for months paralyzed so as to be almost entirely 
helpless. His mind, however, kept bright and vigorous. 
His conversation was very much about Christ and heav- 
enly things. He spoke to those who called to see him 
about their eternal interests ; sent messages to his old 
parishioners and acquaintances, telling them of his 
peace, and giving them his love and blessing. To min- 
isters he would say, ' Preach Christ.' ' Tell the breth- 
ren to preach Christ crucified more and more ! ' For 

1 Rev. R. B. Walker, D. D. 



298 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

months he had not a doubt as to his acceptance with 
God, and his mind was full of sweet, heavenly peace. 
On one occasion he spoke to a ministerial brother of his 
circumstances rather despondingly, but in a moment 
added, ' But I am a rich man. O, what a rich man I am ! 
I am a joint-heir with Christ to an inheritance uncor- 
rupted and undefiled.' He died in the full possession 
of all his mental faculties, full of peace and in the 
joyful hope of a blessed immortality." 

His death took place at his residence, London, Mer- 
cer County, Pa., on the 18th day of December, 1866, 
in the eighty-third year of his age and fifty-first of 
his ministry. Mr. Munson was thrice married. His 
first wife was Miss Jane, daughter of George Allen, who 
died in less than a year after their marriage. Her 
death took place in 1809. His second wife was Eliza- 
beth Clark, to whom he was married in 1815, and who 
died in 1836, at the age of fifty-five. His third wife 
was Mrs. Abby S., widow of Thomas Branclen, and 
daughter of Adam Black. They were married in 1837, 
Mrs. Munson died in 1862. Mr. Munson had but one 
child, which died in infancy. 

In personal appearance he was, in his prime, robust 
and rough-hewn, with strongly marked features and 
little claim to personal beauty. He was able to endure 
great labor, and was never backward in undertaking 
any amount of self-denial and privation in the Master's 
work, that seemed to be called for. In his earlier min- 
istry he travelled much through the destitute settle- 
ments, preaching day after day, forcing his way through 
snow-storms and swollen streams, rarely failing to meet 
his appointments and always ready to expose himself, 
rather than disappoint his hearers. 

Few Christians have had a richer experience than he. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 299 

Says the same co-presbyter already quoted : " When first 
awakened his convictions were deep and pungent. He 
felt himself to be the chief of sinners. We have often 
heard him say that he did not see how it was possible 
for God to save him, and that after him no anxious 
sinner need despair of finding mercy. But when the 
light came, his peace was as a river. The principles of 
the gospel were deeply fixed in his heart. He lived 
out and adorned the doctrines which he preached. 
During his long ministerial life, there was not a single 
stain upon his character." 

As a theologian, he was accurate and discriminating. 
His reading was not extensive, yet valuable, for he re- 
tained and appropriated what he read. In the religious 
controversies of his day he was well versed, and able at 
all times to defend his views of right. 

As a preacher his great aim was to unfold the truths 
of God's Word, so as to convince his hearers and lead 
them to God and his service. His great themes were, 
God's great love and mercy — of Christ and his cross. 
He was a good minister of the Lord Jesus, and labored 
faithfully for his cause, and so his rest must be sweet 
and his reward glorious. 

(29.) PHINEAS CAMP. 
1816-1868. 

Phineas Ca^ip, the son of Phineas and Martha 
(Hall) Camp, was born in Durham County, N. Y., on 
the 18th day of February, 1788. At the age of eight 
years, he removed with his father's family to Oneida 
County, in the same State. His classical studies com- 
menced at an academy at Whitestown, N. Y. After- 
wards he entered Union College, where he graduated in 



300 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

1811. For two years after this, he taught a classical 
school in Orange County, N. Y. His theological studies 
were pursued at Princeton. Having completed a full 
course at that institution, he was licensed to preach the 
gospel by the Presbytery of North River in 1816. The 
first two years of his ministry were spent in itinerant 
labors. He was ordained as an evangelist by the Pres- 
bytery of North River, on the 15th day of July, 1817. 
He came into the bounds of the Presbytery of Erie in 
1817, and was received from the Presbytery of Hudson, 
as a member, on the 29th day of June, 1819. 

In connection with Johnston Eaton, he reorganized the 
churches of Westfield and Ripley, N. Y. His first pas- 
toral settlement was at Westfield, where he was installed 
on the 8th day of September, 1819. Cyrus Riggs (18), 
preached the sermon, and Samuel Tait delivered the 
charges. This pastorate continued for two and a half 
years, when, on account of ill-health in his family, the 
relation was dissolved. After two years of labor as an 
evangelist, he was installed pastor of the church of Low- 
ville, N. Y., having been dismissed from the Presbytery 
of Erie to that of St. Lawrence, February 9, 1825. 
Here he continued for four years, when the pastoral 
relation was dissolved. From this time Mr. Camp 
devoted himself to missionary labors in various portions 
of the church, being particularly active in revivals of 
religion. These labors extended over northwestern 
Pennsylvania, New York, and portions of Ohio. Being 
of a warm, fervid frame of mind, he was particularly 
adapted to missionary work, and to efforts in times of 
refreshing. He delighted in these labors. It seemed 
to be his meat and his drink to direct inquiring souls 
to Christ. During his labors, the " bodily exercise," 
spoken of elsewhere, prevailed, and was treated by him 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 301 

as of great importance as a manifestation of the Spirit 
of God. Many of the churches along the shore of Lake 
Erie, at Westfield, North East, Fairview, and Spring- 
field, enjoyed his revival labors, and some of the aged 
fathers and mothers in Israel yet speak of his unction 
and zeal in the Lord's cause. His last years were 
spent in connection with " the other branch." 

Mr. Camp was twice married. His first wife was 
Miss Mary A. Leeworthy. His second was Miss Anna 
Spalding. He had three children, two sons and a 
daughter, all of whom profess to be the followers of the 
God of their father. 

About four years ago he removed to Dixon, Illinois, 
to spend his declining years with his children. Yet al- 
though laid aside in a great degree from the active 
labors of preaching the gospel, he continued to seek 
opportunities of doing good, in distributing tracts, and 
personal religious intercourse. These labors continued 
until within two days of his death. 

A short time before his departure, he wrote in his 
diary : " I desire to possess dying grace for the present 
hour. I am dying : declining with age daily, that is 
dying. Shall I be overwhelmed with surprise and awe 
on entering the celestial world ? How can a stranger 
from earth endure it ? Even the holy evangelist John, 
who had so often conversed with his mighty Saviour, had 
well-nigh fainted and died at the sight of the angel of 
the Apocalypse. I apprehend believers on entering that 
state will be gently dealt with ; will be gradually made 
familiar with the grand and fearful things that shall 
in turn be unfolded and explained. But be this as it 
may, let me have ' perfect holiness ' in the fear of the 
Lord, and be ready when called to go." 

His last illness was short, and without suffering. It 



802 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

was rather the wearing out of life's machinery than 
positive disease. To his children and friends who gath- 
ered around his couch, he commended Christ as the only 
hope. When asked if he felt prepared for the journey, 
he replied, " Yes, yes, I settled that question long be- 
fore this. This trying hour would be insupportable 
were it not for my hope in Christ." After taking leave 
of his children one by one, with the expression on his 
lips, " Farewell, world, farewell," he sweetly fell asleep. 
He died on the 30th day of January, 1868, having 
nearly completed his eightieth year, and in the fifty- 
second year of his ministry. He was an old man, full 
of years and labors, and has gone to reap the reward of 
those who " turn many to righteousness." 

(31.) BEADFORD MARCY. 

1809-1845. 

Mr. Marcy was a native of Berkshire County, 
Mass. He was the son of Smith and Patience (Law- 
ton) Marcy, and was born at Otis, Mass., on the 9th 
day of March, 1774. Of his early life little can now 
be learned, as he was a quiet man, leaving little behind 
that would throw light upon his history. His classical 
studies were pursued at the college of Rhode Island, 
where he graduated in 1798. From a paper left be- 
hind originating from the college authorities, it is evi- 
dent that his standing as a scholar was very good. The 
probabilities are that he studied theology privately, and 
was licensed to preach by some of the New England 
associations. From a note attached to his ordination 
sermon, it appears that he was ordained 'by the Eastern 
Connecticut Association. His name is found in the 
records of the General Association, as a missionary 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 303 

laboring in Delaware in 1805. 1 After this be became a 
member of the Presbytery of Long Island, and was pas- 
tor of the churches of Smithtown and Islip. from 1811 
to 1814. 

Mr. Marcy removed into the bounds of the Presby- 
tery of Erie, sometime about the year 1820. He was 
received from the Presbytery of Long Island, on the 
13th of April, 1824. He took no active charge in the 
Presbytery, although he preached frequently in the va- 
cant conoreoations in the neighborhood where he re- 
sided. He settled down upon a farm in Crawford County, 
Pa., and was very successful in the cultivation of the soil. 

As a preacher he had more learning than faculty in 
.bringing forth the treasures of his mind in sermonizing. 
He seemed anxious to do good, yet his peculiarities 
were often in the way of his accomplishing it. His in- 
firmities prevented his preaching during the last three 
years of his life. He died near Yenango, Crawford 
County, Pa., on the 6th day of April, 1845, in the 
seventy-second year of his age. 

He was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Evans, 
of Crawford County, Pa., on the 22d day of June, 1824. 
They had no children. 

(33). GILES DOOLITTLE. 

\ 

1823-1842. 

Giles Doolittle was the son of Elisaph and Ruth 
(Potter) Doolittle of the State of Connecticut. His 
father was born in Wallingford, Conn., June 1, 1750. 
Giles, his son, was born in Plymouth, Conn., on the 
22d day of May, 1794. His first years were spent in 
the quiet ways of a Connecticut home, and under the 
instructions and prayers of a pious mother. When 

1 Gillett's History, ii. 1. 



304 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

about six or seven years of age, he was the subject of 
deep religious impressions, that were never afterwards 
obliterated. He had then such views of the evil of sin, 
and the holiness of God, as influenced the remainder of 
his life. Later in life he was inclined to believe that 
at this time God's saving grace commenced its work in 
his soul. 

Early in life an incident occurred that seems to have 
influenced all his subsequent years. He read in the 
Connecticut Magazine an account of the labors and 
privations of the missionaries in the West. The ac- 
count so moved him that he secretly resolved that he 
would devote himself to the ministry and the missionary 
work. But circumstances seemed for a long time to 
be in the way of his preparation for this great work. 
His parents were dependent upon his care, and he 
could not leave them. In his eighteenth year he made 
a public profession of religion, and connected himself 
with the Congregational church in his native town. 
About this time his mother died ; and in his twenty- 
third year his father was called away, leaving him free 
to follow his inclination and conviction of duty by 
commencing preparations for the work of the ministry. 

After studying for a few months, he became discour- 
aged, as he looked at his age and the long years that 
must elapse before he could enter upon the work. The 
narrowness of his own means also added to this dis- 
couragement. 

He now removed to Oneida County, New York, and 
engaged in teaching. Here, through the advice and 
encouragement of friends, he once more resumed his 
studies, and entered Hamilton College in his twenty- 
fourth year. Graduating in 1822, he returned to his 
native town and commenced the study of theology with 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 305 

his old friend and pastor, Rev. Luther Hart, and in due 
time was licensed to preach the gospel by the South 
Association of Litchfield County, Conn., June 3, 1823. 
After preaching for a time in Connecticut, he journeyed 
westward, and tarried for a time in Oneida County, New 
York. But his desire to carry out his youthful plans 
soon induced him to move still further west, and in the 
year 1824 he came to Chautauque County, New York. 
Whilst in Oneida County, he placed himself under the 
care of the Presbytery of Oneida, and on coming into 
the bounds of the Presbytery of Erie, he put himself 
under the care of that Presbytery, being received 
March 2, 1825. Accepting calls from the united 
churches of North East and Ripley, he was ordained 
and installed at the former place, on the 14th day of 
April, 1825. In these exercises Johnston Eaton (20) 
preached the sermon, and Samuel Tait (3) delivered 
the charges. This relation continued for five years, 
when, on the 14th day of April, 1830, he was at his 
own request dismissed from Ripley, and gave the whole 
of his time to North East. In the latter church his 
labors continued until September 12, 1832, when at 
his own request he was dismissed. His labors were 
greatly blessed at North East, and many were gathered 
into the fold of the Redeemer. It is said that he after- 
wards regretted having sundered his connection with 
this church. He left it, however, strong and flourishing. 
On the 10th day of April, 1833, Mr. Doolittle was 
dismissed from the Presbytery of Erie, and connected 
himself with that of Portage, having entered upon pas- 
toral labor in Hudson, Ohio. He was soon afterwards 
installed as pastor of the Presbyterian church at that 
place. This relation continued until the spring of 1840, 
when his declining health obliged him to withdraw from 
20 



306 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

all the duties and labors of the ministry. His disease 
was pulmonary consumption, and with all its flattering 
voices, the invalid felt that his work upon earth was 
almost done. Although he had relinquished all pastoral 
cares, he yet continued in a very feeble condition. For 
the last few months of his life, he went down rap- 
idly to the grave. Under all his afflictions, he was 
uniformly patient, calm, and hopeful. God was his 
stay and his helper. His mind was clear and untroubled 
to the last. In view of leaving his children portionless, 
he said he left them with a covenant-keeping God, whose 
promises were a more sure and blessed inheritance than 
millions of gold. 

As the light of earth grew dim, and the splendors of 
the heavenly world were bursting upon his vision, rais- 
ing both hands he exclaimed, — 

" O death ! where is thy sting ? grave ! where is thy 
victory ? " 

And these were his last words. His spirit departed 
on the morning of September 22, 1842, in the forty- 
ninth year of his age, and the twentieth of his ministry. 

Mr. Doolittle was twice married. His first marriage 
was in Oneida County, New York, to Miss Bethena 
Brooks, September, 1823. Her death took place at 
North East, Pa., in June, 1831. He was married the 
second time to Miss Electa Upham, of Jamestown, New 
York, November 8, 1831. He was the father of eight 
children, five of whom have gone to rest. Three 
daughters with his widow yet survive. 

" As a pastor he was faithful, prayerful, and watchful, 
laboring for the good of souls, to the extent of his 
physical health and strength. As a preacher he was 
plain, evangelical, and solemn, applying the truth rather 
to the intellect and conscience, than to the emotions of 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 307 

the hearer. His natural temperament was sedate and 
calm ; his disposition was serious but kind, amiable, and 
affectionate." * 

He left the following message for the church of which 
he had been pastor : — 

" Tell them to remember their solemn covenant with 

God, and with one another Tell them to 

rally round their pastor and sustain his hands and up- 
hold him in every good work, and beware of all influ- 
ences that divide and destroy the peace of Zion." 

His message to the impenitent was, — 

" Tell them I thank them deeply and cordially, for 
their kindness. May the Lord richly reward them. 

. . . . My last prayers are for their salvation. 
Bid them delay not to seek and find that peace and joy 
in believing, without which they cannot possess the 
reward of the righteous." 

One who knew him well, 2 and who was brought into 
the church at North East through his ministry, thus 
speaks of him : — 

" He was a good preacher, with a pleasant voice and 
delivery, talents above the average ; of medium size, 
spare, gray eyes, sallow complexion, with a mild, be- 
nignant countenance, and such a heavenly smile ! I 
never heard him converse on any other subject than that 
of religion. He was a Puritan of the Puritans. He 
seemed to be always faithful, always zealous, always at 
the post of duty. He never unbent, was very reticent, 
and had remarkable control over his feelings ; so much 
so that he preached one Sabbath, when one of his 
children lay dead at home. He was cheerful under all 
trials ; nothing seemed to disturb him, except the wrong- 
doing of his people. Then he would weep over them, 

1 Prof. Hickok. 2 Miss Jacks. 



308 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

and be moved as no bereavements of his own could 
move him. Yet he was not a stern man, but kind and 
gentle to all. When his wife died, whilst attending the 
funeral, he announced the hymn — 

" Unvail thy bosom, faithful tomb," 
and preached her funeral sermon himself the following 
Sabbath. In this sermon, his manner was calm, and 
with apparent impassiveness he depicted her character, 
speaking of her many excellences, without exaggerating 
them. 

(34.) NATHAN HARNED. 

1822-1854. 

The subject of this sketch led a life of vicissitudes. 
Being of a delicate constitution, his health suffered dur- 
ing his preparatory studies, and throughout the remain- 
der of his life he was unable to enter with vigor upon 
the active labors of the ministry. But he seems to 
have been active and diligent according to his measure 
of strength, and has left behind him the testimony that 
he was an earnest, faithful minister of the New Testa- 
ment. 

Nathan Harned, the son of David and Hannah 
(Walker) Harned, was born in Rockingham County, 
Va., on the 4th day of February, 1789. Of his early life 
and struggles, previous to entering the household of 
faith and dedicating himself to the work of the gospel 
ministry, nothing can here be said. It would be a val- 
uable contribution to the history of the church, if this 
important chapter on the lives of its ministers could be 
written, setting forth the struggles and the resolutions, 
the doubts and the fears, that agitate their minds pre- 
vious to commencing the great work. 

Mr. Harned's academical studies were pursued in the 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 309 

city of New York. He was at this time in religious 
creed and profession a Baptist, and commenced the 
study of theology in the Theological Institution of the 
Baptist General Convention, in the city of Philadelphia. 
Here he continued for three years, and completing his 
course, received a certificate of the same, July 25, 
1821. 

He was regularly licensed to preach the gospel by a 
Baptist association, and soon after received a call from 
a Baptist church in Northern Pennsylvania. But his 
mind was not at ease. He entertained grave doubts in 
regard to the peculiar tenets held by his church, that 
made him hesitate in regard to accepting this call. He 
took time to review the whole ground in relation to the 
subject of baptism and ecclesiastical polity, as enter- 
tained by his church. The call to the church in Penn- 
sylvania was declined. After a thorough examination 
of the whole subject, with earnest prayer for guidance 
and direction, he renounced the doctrinal peculiarities 
of his Baptist brethren, and placed himself under the 
care of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, and was by that 
Presbytery licensed at a meeting held at Doylestown, on 
the 16th day of October, 1822. 

His name first appears on the records of Erie Pres- 
bytery in 1824. He was regularly received under its 
care on the 2d day of March, 1825, having preached for 
some time previous to this in Warren County, Pa. At 
the same meeting at which he was received, calls were 
placed in his hands by Presbytery, from the congrega- 
tions of Warren, Sugar Grove, Great Brokenstraw, and 
Lottsville. These calls were accepted, and arrange- 
ments made for his ordination and installation. This 
took place at a meeting of Presbytery held at Warren 
on the 20th day of April, 1825. In these exercises, Mr. 



310 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Tait (3) preached the sermon, and Mr. Chase (25) of- 
fered the ordaining prayer and delivered the charges. 

This was a large field for the young pastor, and in- 
volved a large amount of labor. The labor was per- 
formed, however, in these four churches for nearly a 
year, when leave was asked to resign the charge of 
Brokenstraw, and probably Lottsville. The relation 
appears to have been a harmonious one, as an elder 
White from the former church declared, " that the con- 
gregation thought it was a matter of regret that Mr. 
Harned should leave them," yet under the circum- 
stances, could not object to the dissolution of the pas- 
toral relation. It was accordingly dissolved. In the 
month of May following, the relation with the churches 
of Warren and Sugar Grove was dissolved. 

On the 22d of June, 1826, Mr. Harned asked and 
received a dismission to connect himself with the Pres- 
bytery of Hartford (now Beaver). 

In the fall of 1826, the honorary degree of A. M. was 
conferred on him by Alleghany College. 

His next field of labor was Youngstown, Ohio, at 
that time under the care of the Presbytery of Hartford, 
or Beaver. Here he labored about three years, when 
failing health compelled him once more to resign his 
charge. He then spent some time in the South and 
Southwest, hoping that a more genial climate might 
restore his wasted energies. From Hartford Presby- 
tery, he received a dismission, October 5, 1830, and 
connected himself with the Presbytery of Philadelphia. 
His next field was Ridley, Delaware County, Pa., where 
he labored for a time under appointment by the Board 
of Missions. This appointment dates January 1, 1831. 

After this, health failing, and suffering from an affec- 
tion of the throat, 1 precluding for the time the idea of 

1 Dr. John McDowell. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 311 

preaching, with the consent and advice of Presbytery, 
he engaged in secular business. We find him next 
at New Orleans, probably engaged in secular employ- 
ment, yet with improving health, for he was able in part 
to supply the pulpit of the Second Presbyterian Church 
during the temporary absence of the pastor, Rev. R. L. 
Stanton, D. D. He also supplied, occasionally, the Pres- 
byterian Church in the third municipality, then vacant. 
This was in 1850. 

About this time he returned to Philadelphia, and was 
connected with the Penn Presbyterian Church, which 
he served as a ruling elder and superintendent of a 
Sabbath-school of five hundred scholars. 

Mr. Harned's labors on earth closed on the 9th day 
of October, 1854. He died in the city of New York, 
of disease of the heart, cancer of the stomach, and hy- 
drothorax. His remains were interred in the Presbyte- 
rian Cemetery at Abington, Montgomery County, Pa. 

(35.) WELLS BUSHNELL. 

1825-1863. 

Wells Bushnell, the son of Alexander and Sarah 
(Wells) Bushnell, was born in Hartford, Conn., in 
the month of April, 1799. His mother was a pious 
woman, and by a godly example and earnest precept, 
strove to bring up her family in the fear of God. At 
the age of seventeen, Wells Bushnell was living in the 
city of Pittsburgh, Pa., and there, and at that time, 
made a public profession of religion, and connected 
himself with the First Presbyterian Church, then un- 
der the pastoral care of Rev. Francis Herron, D. D. 

After some preparatory study, he became a student 
of Jefferson College, where he graduated in due course. 



312 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

His theological education was completed at Princeton 
Theological Seminary. He was taken under the care 
of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, and licensed 
probably in the year 1825. 

His name first appears on the minutes of the Pres- 
bytery of Erie, on May 24, 1826, when, as a licentiate, 
he presented a certificate of dismission from the Pres- 
bytery of New Brunswick, and asked to be taken under 
its care. Calls having been presented from the church 
of Meadville, Pa., for his pastoral labors, Luke ii. 11 
was assigned him as part of trials for ordination. The 
ordination took place on the 22d day of June, 1826. In 
these exercises, Joseph Stockton (4), of the Presbytery 
of Ohio, preached the sermon, Samuel Tait (3) deliv- 
ered the charge to the pastor, and Johnston Eaton (20) 
the charge to the people. 

This relation continued until June 26, 1833, when, at 
his own request, it was dissolved, in order that he might 
go as a missionary to the Wea Indians. The " West- 
ern Board of Foreign Missions" had been recently 
established at Pittsburgh, and as missions were about to 
be organized for different points in heathen lands, Mr. 
Bushnell felt impelled to offer himself for the work. 
His warm, impulsive heart was stirred to its depths with 
a longing desire to engage in the great work. His firm 
and earnest conviction was, that the voice of the Master 
was calling him to the work, and he resolved to sunder 
the tie that bound him to an attached people, and labor 
and toil as best he might for the welfare of the be- 
nighted and the dying. And so, with his family, he 
entered the wilds of the West. But he had overesti- 
mated his constitution and power of endurance. With 
all his self-denial and earnestness, he experienced little 
but excessive fatigue, and prolonged sickness of himself 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 313 

and family, until he was worn out and discouraged. His 
labors continued in the Indian country for one year and 
a half, when he felt it his duty to return to the East. 
No doubt his labor and self-sacrifice were accepted of 
the Master, even though he was permitted to see but 
little fruit of his labor. No doubt it was said of him as 
of one of old, " He hath done what he could." 

After leaving the Indian country, he returned to New 
Albany, Ind., where his parents resided. After a sea- 
son of rest, he received an invitation to supply the 
First Presbyterian church in Louisville, Ky., in the 
absence of the regular pastor. He was also earnestly 
solicited to take charge of a new church enterprise in 
that city. But his views on the subject of slavery were 
even at that day so strongly in opposition to this institu- 
tion, that he could not consistently accept. He then 
accepted a call to the congregation at Greensburg, 
Ind., in connection with one at Shelbyville, in the same 
State. After laboring here for one year and a half, 
his health failed, and he returned to New Albany. Soon 
after this, he returned to Pittsburgh, for the purpose of 
rest and recruiting his health. 

Whilst in Pittsburgh, he accepted an invitation to 
supply the churches of Gravel Run and Cambridge, in 
Crawford County, Pa. 

On the 3d of February, 1836, he had been dismissed 
from the Presbytery of Erie to that of Indianapolis. 
On the 11th day of April, 1838, he was received again 
into the Presbytery of Erie. 

On the 18th day of April, 1839, he was dismissed to 
the Presbytery of Beaver, having accepted calls to the 
church of New Castle, Pa. Here he continued to labor 
for fifteen years and a half, with much success. 

At the close of this period, a change took place in 



314 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Mr. Bushnell's views, in regard to his church relation. 
He was not satisfied with the position of the church on 
the question of slavery. In this matter he was honest 
and sincere, and felt that he could no longer remain 
in the Presbyterian church. He accordingly severed 
his connection with the Presbytery of Beaver, and 
united with the " Free Presbyterian Church." In this 
new relation, he ministered to the congregations of 
Mount Jackson, Lawrence County, and New Bedford, 
Mercer County, until the close of his earthly labors. 
The disease that terminated in his death was cholera 
morbus. He died at Mount Jackson, on the 16th day 
of July, 1863, in the sixty-fifth year of his age and 
thirty-eighth of his ministry. 

On the 25th of April, 1826, he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Eleanor Hannen, a daughter of Dr. John 
Hannen, of Pittsburgh, Pa. Five children survived 
him, four daughters and one son. 

Mr. Bushnell was a successful minister of Jesus 
Christ. His heart was warm, and sometimes his zeal 
bore down his judgment. Says one who was a co- 
presbyter : " He was a good minister of Jesus Christ, 
a very good preacher, and a good pastor. During his 
stay at Meadville, his labors were much blessed, and no 
man in these parts was more popular than he. A ready 
mind and a determined will rendered his conclusions 
often premature, but he was a dear brother and devoted 
to his Master's work." 

Says one of his session at his first field of labor : 
" He was courteous, familiar, and pleasant in general 
intercourse. As a Christian, he was esteemed as sin- 
cere and zealous ; as a minister, his sermons were well 
written, and delivered with unction, and with us his 
ministry was much blessed." 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 315 

His end was peace. He failed rapidly at the last, 
but expressed his prospects as " all glorious." 

(37.) THOMAS ANDERSON. 
1825-1853. 
Thomas Anderson, the son of John and ! — 



(Laughlin) Anderson, was born in Cumberland County, 
Pa., on the first day of the new year, 1791. His an- 
cestors were Irish. His parents removed to this coun- 
try from Tyrone County, Ireland, in 1787. Thomas 
was raised a farmer, and at twelve years of age was 
talked of in the family, as the prospective student of 
college. Difficulties were in the way, however, and it 
was not until the age of twenty-one, that the way was 
opened up for the commencement of his studies. At 
the age of eighteen he became a member of the Pres- 
byterian church of Neshannock, Mercer County, Pa., 
then under the pastoral charge of Rev. William Wick. 
His is the old story of the early ministers — poverty, 
struggles, discouragements : and yet over all he tri- 
umphed. He studied Latin and Greek partly at home, 
partly at Greersburg Academy, sometimes teaching, 
sometimes laboring with his hands, until he was fitted 
for college. He graduated at Washington College, Pa., 
in 1820. In his early struggles he walked several miles 
to the home of Mr. Wick, to borrow a Latin gram- 
mar. Here he first saw the lady who eight years after- 
wards became his wife. 

After graduating, he was united in marriage, on the 
11th of October, 1820, to Miss Phebe, daughter of Rev. 
William Wick (2), and removing to the town of Mer- 
cer, took charge of the academy in that place. Here 
he taught for five years, paying off the balance of his 



316 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

college debts, purchased a little home in Mercer, and at 
the same time pursued his theological studies under the 
direction of Mr. Tait (3), pastor of the church in Mer- 
cer, copying out carefully and neatly Dr. McMillan's 
system of divinity, which was the sine qua non of all 
the earlier ministers. 

He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presby- 
tery of Erie, on the 28th day of December, 1825. His 
first sermon after licensure, was delivered January 1, 
1826 ; he was that day thirty-four years of age, and had 
a wife and two children. 

He commenced his ministerial labors regularly at 
Concord, May 7, 1826 ; at Big Sugar Creek, the Sab- 
bath following ; and at Franklin, June 11,1826. All 
these places are in Venango County, Pa. He was or- 
dained by the Presbytery of Erie, September 19, 1826, 
and installed as pastor of the above congregations. In 
these exercises, Mr. Bushnell preached the sermon, Mr. 
Chase delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Mc- 
Kinney the charge to the people. 

He lived near the Sugar Creek Church at this time, 
rode seven miles to Franklin, and over twenty to Con- 
cord. In addition to these places he performed a large 
amount of missionary work through Venango and the 
neighboring counties. 

On the 13th of April, 1831, he was released from the 
charge of the congregation of Concord, and gave all his 
time to Franklin and Big Sugar Creek, living at the 
former place. He was released from the charge of 
Franklin on the 12th of September, 1837, and probably 
from Big Sugar Creek about the same time. 

At the division of the Presbytery, in 1838, Mr. An- 
derson adhered to the New School. He labored for a 
time after this in Beaverdam and Union, in Erie Coun- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 317 

ty, and in 1843 removed to Huntington, Indiana. Here 
he organized a Presbyterian church in November, 1843, 
consisting of nine members. It was the first evangel- 
ical church organized in thejplace, and the first point of 
Presbyterian preaching in the county. Here he la- 
bored faithfully for five years, when growing infirmities 
compelled him to think of resigning. He was released 
from his charge of Huntington, January 9, 1848. In re- 
lation to this resignation he says, " I feel sad to think I 
cannot stay and work in the harvest. I have the heart 
but not the strength ; but what little strength I have I 
expect to use for missionary ends. I am not afraid of 
poverty and want. 

" ' My Shepherd will supply my need, 
Jehovah is his name.' " 

Mr. Anderson records that whilst laboring in the 
Erie Presbytery for sixteen years, he preached two 
thousand five hundred and eighty-two sermons. On one 
occasion he rode twenty miles, preached, and then rode 
four miles further before eating. He loved to speak of 
his old charge in Venango County, Pennsylvania. 

" My heart clings," he writes, " to my native land, my 
boyhood's home, my first field of ministerial labor. The 
impressions there made, the friendships there formed, 
and the associations that cluster around the phrase 
'pastor and people,' are too sacred to be trifled with 
and too precious to be forgotten." 

So he continued to labor whilst he had strength, 
preaching Christ to the poor and destitute, until the 
Master called him to his rest and his reward. 

His death was sudden. The circumstances attending 
it are furnished by his daughter. 1 " After family wor- 
ship he retired to rest. Mother spent the night with a sick 
1 Mrs. B. A. Moore. 



318 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

grand-daughter up-stairs. At the hour father usually 
arose, she heard him uttering a groan, and hastened to 
him. He remarked that he had not slept well ; that 
just now he had such a dreadful pain about his heart ; 
if he had another such attack it would kill him. She 
hastened to prepare warm stimulants, and send for a phy- 
sician, but before she returned to his bedside, 'he was 
not, for God took him*' If there were fears and an- 
guish during the long watches of that night, they were 
known only to Him, who < neither slumbers nor sleeps.' 

" He laid aside his raiment for the night, 
And angels clothed him in the coming light: 
So like his life, he passed from earth away, 
Quiet and peaceful — God alone his stay." 

He died at Huntington, Indiana, on the 22d day of 
December, 1853, a few days before he had completed 
his sixty-third year, and in the twenty-ninth year of his 
ministry. 

Mrs. Anderson has since rejoined him in rest. They 
had eight children, five of whom survive them. The 
eldest son, Rev. Philander Anderson, is a member of 
the Presbytery of Indianapolis. 

Rev. A. W. Freeman, a co-presbyter, says of Mr. 
Anderson, " His piety was humble and child-like. His 
manner of conducting devotional meetings was exceed- 
ingly happy. As a preacher he was clear, logical, earn- 
est, forcible, and striking ; and had not his health been 
impaired, he would have been well qualified to minister 
to any congregation to the end of his life." 

A plain stone, erected to his memory, bears the fol- 
lowing inscription : — 

REV. THOMAS ANDERSON, 

Died December 22, 1853, aged 63 years. 
Graduated at Washington College, in 1819. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 319 

Ordained at Franklin, Pa., in 1826. 

Removed to Huntington, Ind., in 1843. 

The first pastor of the Presbyterian church in this place. 

" Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw 
itself; for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of 
thy mourning shall be ended." 

(38.) PIERCE CHAMBERLAIN. 

1822-1850. 

The subject of this sketch was born on the 11th day 
of June, 1790, in Newark, Delaware. He was the son 
of Joseph and Martha Chamberlain, respectable and 
worthy members of the Society of Friends. In this 
faith he was nurtured and brought up. The grace of 
God, free and sovereign, was most signally manifested 
in his life history. For years he was tossed upon a sea 
of doubts and fears, with struggles and conflicts innu- 
merable, yet safely anchoring in the quiet harbor at 
last. 

About the time of arriving at maturity, he became 
thoughtful and anxious about the interests of salvation. 
He read much in Quaker books of devotion, but ob- 
tained little satisfactory light. So great was his internal 
distress and agitation, that his health suffered in conse- 
quence. His mind became morbid, and doubts were 
entertained in regard to a future state. He was driven 
almost to the verge of insanity, induced by despair. In 
this condition of doubt and mental distraction, the great 
Adversary tempted him to take his own life, and he 
actually repaired to the bank of a creek for that pur- 
pose. But the grace of God prevented. He reflected 
that this would be folly and wickedness, and lying down 
beneath an apple-tree, gave himself up to the most ter- 
rible struggle through which he had ever passed. Foiled 



320 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

in his attempt to lead him to self-destruction, the great 
enemy tried a new system of tactics. He suggested a 
doubt of the being of God. This was accepted at once, 
and the young man sprang to his feet and returned 
home full of a deceptive joy, for now he felt there was 
no accountability hereafter. His joy was manifest to 
his friends, and he seemed to be from this time com- 
pletely in the Devil's toils. 

But all this time the grace of God was following him. 
His atheism soon forsook him, and he found himself in 
the depths of darkness and wretchedness. Going to 
Philadelphia, he heard the Rev. Dr. Skinner preach on 
the Divine Decrees. This sermon was ordered in the 
providence of God, for his special benefit and enlight- 
enment. It produced a great change in his views. He 
now beheld the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of the 
guilty, and the hope of the helpless. Comfort came to 
his mind. Peace filled his heart. The love of Christ 
seemed to him so great and so wonderful that he not only 
gave himself up to his service, but resolved to devote 
himself to the gospel ministry. 

He attended the Academy at Andover for a short 
period, but health failing, he returned to his home, and 
worked at his trade for a time. After this he was en- 
gaged as clerk in a store, engaging in study at the 
Newark Academy, as health and strength would per- 
mit. Thus he advanced from one degree to another in 
his studies, until he commenced that of theology. This 
study was pursued with Eev. Dr. Skinner and others, 
until the 4th day of April, 1822, when he was licensed 
to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of New Castle. 
The Presbytery was induced to relax the usual rule in 
regard to a full course of classical study, because of the 
age, delicacy of health, and apparent maturity of judg- 
ment, prudence, and zeal of the candidate. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 321 

Mr. Chamberlain preached for some time in his own 
Presbytery, the vacancies of which were "numerous. He 
had much of the missionary spirit, and for a time la- 
bored in the almshouses and prisons in the city of 
Philadelphia, preaching the gospel to the lowly and the 
wretched. After continuing these labors for some few 
years, he was ordained as an evangelist by the Presby- 
tery of New Castle, and received a commission from 
the Board of Missions to labor within the bounds of 
the Presbytery of Erie. 

Mr. Chamberlain first visited the shore of Lake Erie 
in 1826, and labored for some time in the vacant 
churches with much acceptance. On the 12th day of 
April, he accepted calls from the church of Springfield, 
in Erie County, and on the 16th of January, 1828, was 
installed as pastor of that church. But his pastoral labors 
were brief here. Hi health, that had stood in his way 
ever since he commenced his preparatory studies, com- 
pelled him to ask the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral 
relation. This was done on the 1st day of October, 
1828. 

From this time, until the spring of 1836, he labored 
as a missionary throughout the bounds of the Presby- 
tery, preaching in school -houses and private dwellings, 
whenever and wherever he could collect a congregation 
to hear him. For this kind of labor he was eminently 
fitted, for although usually a taciturn man, he had a 
wonderful faculty of attracting children to him, and was 
always well provided with books and tracts to distrib- 
ute, and had a word of kindness and advice for all 
classes of people. In these labors in the highways and 
hedges, the people hung upon his words. There was a 
solemnity and unction in his preaching that, in that 
day, was most persuasive and attractive. Through 
21 



322 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

these missionary labors many people were turned to the 
Lord. 

In the spring of 1836 he received and accepted calls 
from the congregations of Waterford and Union. He 
was installed as pastor on the loth day of September, 
1836. After this, having given up the charge of Union, 
he labored at Gravel Run in connection with Water- 
ford for a number of years. Here his health again 
failed, and he was released from his pastoral charge. 
He soon after left the bounds of Erie Presbytery, and 
returned to his old home in Newark, Delaware. 

At the time of the division in the Presbvterian 
church, in 1838, Mr. Chamberlain identified himself 
with that branch popularly known as the New School. 

On his return to Newark, the state of his health pre- 
cluding the idea of a pastoral charge, he took charge 
of a Female Seminary, in the labors connected with 
which he employed himself until called to his rest and 
reward. His disease was cholera. He died on the 
23d day of August, 1850, in the sixty-first year of his 
age, and twenty-ninth of his ministry. 

Mr. Chamberlain was a man of medium size, light, 
thin hair, mild, blue eyes, and regular features, with an 
expression of great solemnity and earnest thought con- 
stantly manifested in his countenance. He was a good 
man, and full of faith. He loved the cause of Zion. 
As a preacher, he was most solemn and impressive. 
He dealt not so much in logic and attempts to convince 
the reason, as in earnest appeals to the heart and con- 
science. He did not so much point his hearers to Sinai 
as to Calvary ; nor did he so much dwell upon the jus- 
tice and righteousness of God, as upon his love and 
mercy, as set forth in the work of Jesus Christ. He 
had many warmly attached friends, all over his mission- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 323 

ary field, and men went long distances to hear him, 
where he had appointments to preach. He was a man 
of prayer. Although not without his weaknesses of 
temper, yet he preserved an admirable government 
over himself through the grace of God. 

Mr. Chamberlain was united in marriage to Miss 
Christiana B. Whitehill, of Strasburg, Pa. He left 
four or five children with the precious legacy of a fath- 
er's prayers, and the memory of a father's usefulness and 
devotion and unselfish labor in the Master's cause, to 
stimulate them to duty and diligence and labor. One 
of these children is Rev. George Chamberlain, mission- 
ary to Brazil. 

(42.) EDSON HAET. 

1867. 

Mr. Hart most probably came from New England. 
He was received into the Presbytery of Erie, Septem- 
ber 22, 1830, on certificate from the Presbytery of 
Trumbull. He labored for a few years at Springfield 
and Girard, as a stated supply. After removing from 
the bounds of Presbytery, he acted as agent for some 
educational project in Kentucky. He was dismissed to 
the Presbytery of Muhlenburg, January 21, 1843. 
After this he removed to New Orleans, and was there 
engaged in secular business in connection with the 
Bible agency, until the beginning of the war, when he 
came north and stopped in Oldham County, Kentucky, 
where he died on the 19th day of September, 1867. 



324 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

(44.) ROBERT GLENN. 
1831-1857. 

This brother was in a peculiar sense a child of the 
Presbytery of Erie. He was born within its boundaries- 
He was gathered into the fold of the Good Shepherd 
through the ministry of its members. He was licensed 
and ordained by it. All his ministerial labors were con- 
fined to its field ; and within its bounds his sleeping 
dust awaits the Master's call on the morning of the 
Resurrection. 

Robert Glenn was born on the 2d day of March, 
1802, in Wolfcreek Township, Mercer County, Pa. It 
is believed that his deepest convictions of sin, and 
most triumphant hopes in .Christ, were received under 
the ministrations of Rev. Samuel Tait (3), late of Mer- 
cer, Pa. To him he was in the habit of going in his 
time of conflict and trouble, seeking instruction and 
advice. Often the mistake was made that is so com- 
mon in all religious experience, of expecting too much 
from the minister in the way of light and comfort. The 
rugged experience and matter-of-fact mind of Mr. 
Tait often left the young inquirer to labor and struggle 
and wait until he was ready to conclude that his spirit- 
ual adviser was without sympathy or interest in his wel- 
fare. But he afterwards found that the discipline was 
most salutary, and that in those days of trial he was 
but preparing for the solemn work of dealing with im- 
mortal souls, in the labors of the ministry. Throughout 
his entire Christian course he was not a sanguine Chris- 
tian. He was oftener in the Valley of Humiliation than 
on the Delectable Mountains. Yet withal, he felt that 
his feet were planted on the Rock, and whilst trembling 
at times as the billows dashed around him, he felt safe. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 325 

After some preparatory study, Mr. Glenn became a 
student of Jefferson College, where he graduated in 
1828. One of his classmates 2 at College, says, " While 
at College, he was one of the most sedate and circum- 
spect of the students ; and although cheerful, free from 
all the levities so characteristic of youth." 

Mr. Glenn was for two years a student of the West- 
ern Theological Seminary. He also studied for some 
time under the advice and direction of his old pastor, 
Rev. Samuel Tait. He was licensed to preach the gos- 
pel, at a meeting of the Presbytery of Erie, held at 
Mercer, Pa., on the 2d day of February, 1831. 

The intervening year and a half was spent chiefly in 
preaching to the vacant congregations of Amity, Mill 
Creek, and Sandy Lake, where, at a meeting of Presby- 
tery held at Mill Creek on the 12th day of September, 
1832, he was ordained to the whole work of the minis- 
try, and installed as pastor of the congregations of Mill 
Creek and Amity for two thirds of his time. The 
remaining third was spent as a stated supply in the 
church of Sandy Lake. The relation to the church of 
Amity continued until April 3, 1850 ; that to Mill Creek 
until it was dissolved by death. 

About the time he was released from Amity, the rela- 
tion to the church of Sandy Lake was suspended, and 
Mr. Glenn accepted calls from the congregation of Big 
Sugar Creek, and was installed as pastor there on the 
18th day of June, 1850, spending half his time in 
each of the congregations of Mill Creek and Big Sugar 
Creek. This was his charge during the remainder of 
his ministry, making at Mill Creek a ministry of over 
twenty-five years. 

Mr. Glenn was a laborious and most faithful pastor. 
He was instant in season and out of season, and liter- 
1 Rev. Loyal Young, D. D. 



326 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

ally wore himself out in preaching the gospel. He was 
not a great man. but he was a good man. He was not 
an orator, but he was a faithful preacher of the Word. 
He labored for the souls of men as one that must 
give account. He labored and toiled over his sermons 
as the miner does in his quest for gold. It is not 
strange then that his preaching was accompanied with 
the demonstration of the Spirit and with power. If he 
did not excel in the power of logic, or in that intense 
grappling of mind with great subjects that exhibits 
peculiar powers of intellect, he could relate the simple 
story of the Cross with most persuasive power and unc- 
tion. And, like Jacob of old, he had peculiar power in 
wrestling with the Angel of the Covenant. He was 
mighty in prayer. Those who heard him felt that to 
him the mercy-seat was a familiar place, and that rev- 
erence and boldness and faith were all prominent in his 
addresses to the Most High. As a man he was uni- 
formly meek, humble, diffident of his own judgment 
and abilities, yet firm in his adherence to principle 
and conscience. He was a power for good in the com- 
munity where he dwelt, and had fewer enemies than 
many who are less zealous for the cause of truth and 
righteousness. As a Christian he was simple and 
childlike in his piety, shrinking from any allusion to his 
own attainments ; yet most evidently bearing about 
with him the glow of ardent love to God and the souls 
of men. His ministry was characterized by regular, 
systematic, conscientious effort, and its fruits were a 
gradual growth, and a steady, constant adding to the 
church not only from the families already connected 
with it, but from the families of the world. 

The last hours of such a man were of course peace- 
ful. Constant labor and frequent exposure gradually 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 827 

undermined a constitution that must have been origi- 
nally of great power and endurance. The disease to 
which he ultimately succumbed was consumption. He 
saw the end approaching, and commenced setting his 
house in order. His religious exercises were most de- 
lightful and comforting to those who witnessed them. 
Yet there was nothing of presumption or mere senti- 
ment connected with them. When the deep waters 
were approaching his footsteps, a ministerial brother in- 
quired if he felt that he was on the Rock. He replied, 
" Yes ; but as a poor guilty sinner, with no hope but 
in precious, atoning blood." He looked across the dark 
valley, not with the presumption of the sentimentalist, 
or the feigned calmness of the philosopher, but with the 
earnest, humble faith of the believer in Jesus. And thus, 
in sublime faith and childlike confidence in God, he 
passed through the valley, and entered the City of Gold, 
to " see the King in his beauty." 

His death occurred on the morning of the Sabbath, 
September 6, 1857 ; and he was laid to rest in the 
burial ground of the church of Mill Creek, just in the 
rear of the pulpit from which he had preached the gospel 
for more than a quarter of a century. A simple marble 
shaft marks the place of his burial, on which was in- 
scribed, by the direction of Presbytery, the following 
words : — 

(First Side of the Die.) 

ROBERT GLENN: 

A MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, AND FOR TWENTY-FIVE TEARS 
PASTOR OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MILL CREEK. 

(Second Side.) 

Born March 2, 1802, 

Died Sept. 6, 1857, 

" he giveth his beloved sleep. " 

Ps. cxxvii. 2. 



328 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

(Third Side.) 

THEY THAT TURN MANY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS 
SHALL SHINE AS THE STARS, FOREVER AND EVER. 

Dan. xii. 3. 
(Fourth Side.) 

HE LOVED TO PREACH CHRIST, 

AND WITH A BURNING ZEAL FOR SOULS, 

HE WORE HIMSELF OUT IN THE 

MASTER'S SERVICE. 

Mr. Glenn was thrice married. His first wife was Miss 
Rebecca Wycoff, of Mercer County, Pa., with whom 
he lived fifteen years, when she was called away from 
earth. By her he had three sons and two daughters. 
One of these sons, Samuel M., was licensed to preach 
the gospel by the Presbytery of Erie, and afterwards 
ordained and installed within the bounds of the Pres- 
bytery of Columbus. His second wife was Miss Mary 
Ann McCracken, a member of the congregation of Mill 
Creek, and daughter of one of his elders. She died 
eight months after marriage. His third wife was Miss 
Harriet Finley of Evansburg, Crawford County, Pa., 
with whom he lived eight years, until his death, and by 
whom he had three children. 

(45.) JOHN McNAIR, D. D. 

1831-1867. 

John McNair was the third son of Solomon and 
Sarah (Mc Masters) McNair. He was born near New- 
town, Bucks County, Pa., on the 28th day of May, 1806. 
His mother was a great grand-daughter of a French 
gentleman named De la Plaine, who emigrated at an 
early day to New Jersey. From him Dr. McNair in- 
herited that peculiar vibratory motion of the eye, so 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 329 

familiar to his friends. He had the advantage of a 
careful religious training in his childhood and youth, and 
at an early age became a member of the church. He 
owed much to his mother, who was eminently pious and 
a lady of great decision of character. 

He received his academical education at Newtown 
academy. In 1825, he entered the Sophomore Class at 
Jefferson College, and graduated in 1828. His theo- 
logical studies were pursued at Princeton, and he was 
licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of 
Philadelphia, in 1831, and soon after set out to Western 
Pennsylvania, to labor as a domestic missionary. His 
first field was in Warren County, Pa., in the bounds of 
the Presbytery of Erie. By this Presbytery he was 
ordained as an evangelist on the 7th day of November, 
1833. Johnston Eaton (20) preached the sermon, and 
James Alexander (40) delivered the charge. He was a 
member of the Presbytery of Erie about three years, 
and from it was transferred to that of Vincennes in 1836. 

Dr. McXair labored as an evangelist about ei^ht 
years ; one year in Warren, Pa., one in Fairmount near 
Philadelphia, one in Vincennes, Iowa, one in Milford, 
N. J., one in Stroudsburg, Pa., and more than three 
in the Musconetcong Valley, N. J. His first permanent 
settlement was in Lancaster City, Pa., where he con- 
tinued eleven years. He was obliged to resign this 
charge on account of ill health, when he removed to 
Clinton, N. J., amongst his wife's relatives. Here he 
purchased a farm and commenced farming in connection 
with ministerial labors, very greatly to the benefit of his 
health. He preached at Clinton for six or eight years. 

During the war, he received a commission as Chap- 
lain of the 31st Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers, 
and went to the field to share the hardships and dan- 



330 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

gers of the army. He was a model chaplain ; always 
faithful, always at the post of duty, and always earnest 
in his great work. "When his army labors closed, he 
returned to Lancaster, where he resided until his death, 
which took place on Sabbath, January 27, 1867, in the 
sixty-first year of his age and the thirtieth of his minis- 
try. His illness was very brief. He had been studying 
and laboring hard during the winter and overtaxed his 
brain ; in this condition of mind and body, he took 
a violent cold whilst laboring during the " week of 
prayer." This brought on congestion of the brain and 
lungs, and in one week's time he sunk to the grave. 
His remains were carried to Clarksville, N. J., and laid 
to rest beside those of his son, who had died a few 
months before. 

An appreciative friend thus speaks of him : " Those 
who knew him best will ever cherish his memory, while 
they do but simple justice to the characteristics of his 
head and his heart. Retiring in his manner and de- 
portment, he was ever cheerful and kind, possessing 
however a firmness and integrity of purpose which 
made itself felt in his expressed opinions, together with 
a sincerity unquestioned, which gave a high tone to the 
doctrines he inculcated. His sermons evinced a high 
order of talent ; eloquent, yet plain and unaffected, 
lucid and easily comprehended. As a logician he was 
unsurpassed, and he was consequently an able debater. 
One could readily ' Look through the crystal waters of 
his style, down to the golden sands of his thoughts,' and 
this it was that rendered his discourses so interesting, 
truthful, and impressive. His arguments were ever 
clear and concise, and it was impossible to listen to 
them without feeling convinced that his belief was sin- 
cere and that his opinions were the honest and firm 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 331 

convictions of a man who loved God and kept his com- 
mandments. 

' His lips taught virtue, which his life confess' d.' 

" As a husband and father, he was what might have 
been expected from so pure a man." 

About the year 1838, Dr. McNair was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Susan Adaline Hunt, daughter of Dr. 
William A. A. Hunt, and grand-daughter of Rev. Hol- 
loway W. Hunt. They had two children ; the elder a 
daughter named Lizzie (now Mrs. Lizzie Day) ; the 
younger a son named Alfred, who was killed by a rail- 
road accident but a few months before his father's depar- 
ture. 

(47.) NATHANIEL WEST, D. D. 

1820-1864. 

Dr. West was born in the province of Ulster, Ireland, 1 
although to all intents and purposes he was as much 
a Scotchman as though he had taken his first lease of 
life amid the mountain fastnesses of Scotland. It is 
probable that his early life was passed in Scotland. He 
was born in the year 1794. He was at one time a chap- 
lain in the army. His theological studies were pursued 
in Edinburgh. He entered the ministry in the year 
1820, in the Independent connection. 

He emigrated to this country in 1834, bearing letters 
with him from many of the distinguished ministers of 
Scotland, amongst them one from Dr. Chalmers. 

In the month of September, 1834, he came to Mead- 
ville, Pa. He had been taken on trial as a foreign min- 
ister, by the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, and 
was by that body dismissed to the Presbytery of Erie, 
by which he was received on further trial, April 15, 
1 Wilson's Presbyterian Historical Almanac. 



332 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

1835. On the 8th of October following, he was ap- 
proved and accepted as a member of Presbytery, sub- 
ject to the approval of Synod. The action was after- 
wards approved by Synod. Having accepted calls to 
the church of Meadville, Pa., he was installed on the 
11th day of May, 1836. This relation continued until 
the 26th day of June, 1838, when at his own request 
it was dissolved. He subsequently labored at North 
East, Pa., Monroe, Mich., Pittsburgh, McKeesport, 
Belmont, and Hestonville (united), Pa. At the time of 
his death he was the senior chaplain of the Satterlee 
U. S. Hospital, West Philadelphia. 

Dr. West was a remarkable man. His history was 
crowded with incident and anecdote, that were interest- 
ing and almost romantic. He was endowed by nature 
with a stalwart frame, great powers of endurance, and 
an energy that was almost invincible under ordinary 
difficulties. In mind, he w T as gifted above the ordi- 
nary range of men, although his mental characteristics 
were peculiar. His powers of analysis and his strength 
of memory were astonishing. His knowledge of the 
Scriptures was such, that he could not only quote at 
any length verbatim, but give chapter and verse. In this 
respect he was almost literally a living Concordance. 
He was accustomed to draw from the Word of God the 
rules that governed his daily life and action, so that at 
times it seemed to strangers almost as though he used 
the Word of God in too light and trifling a manner. 
He was never at a loss for Scripture language in any 
reply or retort he thought necessary to make. On oc- 
casion of coming into the bounds of the Presbytery of 
Erie, and before he had become acquainted with the 
members, he was preaching at a small town near where 
two of the brethren were stopping. They went to hear 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 333 

him, and after the service was concluded, made them- 
selves known to him. His instantaneous remark was — 

"Had I but known you were here, sure my text 
should have been Gen. xlii. 16. ' By the life of 
Pharoah, surely ye are spies.' " 

During his chaplaincy at Satterlee Hospital, he felt 
the need of a small chapel for the use of the sick and 
wounded soldiers, and opened a subscription for the 
purpose of erecting one. Among others he called upon 
an acquaintance, a member of the Society of Friends, 
with the remark — 

" Friend John. I have called to ask thee to subscribe 
to an important enterprise." 

u Very well, friend Nathaniel, what is it ? " The Doc- 
tor proceeded to describe the need of a chapel for the 
hospital* when his friend replied, — 

; * Well, that is a good object, and I think I will sub- 
scribe twenty-five dollars." 

" But, friend John, I can prove to thee from the 
Scriptures, that thee should subscribe fifty." 

" Well, friend Nathaniel, if thee can do that I will 
even subscribe fifty." 

u And sure, and does it not say in Luke xvi. 6 : 
; Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.' " 

As a preacher Dr. TTest was original, fluent, and 
eminently Scriptural. His divisions were usually text- 
ual, and drawn out in the old style of many divisions 
and sub-divisions, yet all based upon the text and rigidly 
drawn from it. In the Old Testament ScrijDtures, in 
every tree and shrub, in every nail and stone of the 
Temple, he saw something that pointed to the gospel 
and the work of Christ. He was an eminently instruc- 
tive preacher, bringing from his treasure things new and 
old. 



334 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

He published many sermons and tracts. The " Anal- 
ysis of the Bible " was, however, his great work. Al- 
though based on the work of Talbot, yet the work of 
compiling and arranging it for the press was herculean. 

At the division of the Church in 1838, Dr. West went 
with the New School, but after the lapse of some ten 
or twelve years became connected with the Old School. 

His disease was paralysis. He died at Philadelphia, 
on the 2d day of September, 1864, in the seventieth 
year of his age and the forty-fourth of his ministry. 
His remains rest in the Oakland Cemetery. 

(53.) CHARLES DANFORTH. 

1829-1867. 

Charles Danforth, the son of Samuel and Lucy 
(Auger) Danforth, was born at Rupert, Bennington 
County, Vermont, on the 23d day of August, 1800. 
His father was son of Jonathan Danforth, of Hardwick, 
Mass. His mother, Lucy Auger, was a native of New 
Haven, Conn. He was fitted for college by Rev. Moses 
Hallock, of Plainfield, Mass. He graduated at Wil- 
liams College in 1826. 

His was a life of struggles and vicissitudes. With a 
desire to work for the cause of Christ, and for the good 
of souls, he found the way often full of obstacles and 
sore discouragements. There was to his inner ear the 
voice, " Go work to-day in my vineyard," and the dis- 
couraging thought, that weakness of constitution and 
narrowness of means would be in his way ; so he pressed 
on in study and resolution, possibly one of the martyrs 
of the church militant. 

His theological education was obtained at Auburn 
Theological Seminary, where he was licensed to preach 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 335 

the gospel by the Presbytery of Cayuga, in 1829 ; and, 
at the same meeting, ordained to do the work of an 
evangelist. He soon after went out to labor in the 
States of Ohio and Indiana. He afterwards labored 
several years in the bounds of the Presbyteries of 
Miami and Chilicothe. On the 11th of April, 1838, he 
became a member of the Presbytery of Erie, and re- 
moved from its bounds in 1840. He labored for a time 
in Springfield, Pa. 

In April, 1830, Mr. Danforth was united in marriage 
to Miss Cornelia F. Sadd, daughter of Harry Sadd, 
of Austinburg, Ohio. They have had five children, three 
daughters and two sons. The second daughter went 
as a missionary to Africa, and was connected with the 
Mendi Mission. Whilst there she became the wife of 
Rev. S. J. Whiton, of the same mission. After labor- 
ing a little more than a year in that benighted land, 
she was called to rest in Jesus. Her departure was 
greatly lamented by all who knew her. Mr. Danforth 
adhered to the New School branch at the division. 

During the last years of Mr. Danforth's life, he 
suffered greatly from ill health. In fact, for several 
years he had no pastoral charge, but resided at Ober- 
lin, Ohio, preaching occasionally as opportunity offered 
and strength permitted. In the spring of 1867, he was 
greatly afflicted with lameness, and other symptoms of 
failing health. His liver became complicated with dis- 
ease of the lungs, when he rapidly sunk. He died at 
Oberlin, Ohio, on the 29th day of April, 1867, in the 
sixty-seventh year of his age, and the thirty-eighth of 
his ministry. 

In the last weeks of his life, he made a thorough re- 
examination of his hope, and felt that he could trust 
all in Christ. The Rock seemed firmer under his feet, 



336 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

and he could trust confidently in the merits of Jesus 
Christ. And to the last Christ was with him, sustain- 
ing, comforting, and cheering him, until he went up to be 

" Forever with the Lord." 

(66.) JOHN LIMBER. 

1843-1849. 

John Limber was the son of John and Mary (Long) 
Limber, and was born in Crawford County, Pa., on the 
22d day of April, 1814. Both his father's and mother's 
families came from Northumberland County, Pa., and 
settled in Crawford County, about the year 1795. His 
mother died when he was but four years of age. The 
family was then broken up, and John was raised amongst 
his friends until the age of fourteen, when he was sent 
to Meadville, to learn a mechanical occupation. Whilst 
at his trade, with other boys of his age, he formed 
a literary society for mutual improvement ; and as he 
grew older, manifested a very earnest desire for a better 
education than he had yet been able to obtain. Through 
the influence of friends he was released from his ap- 
prenticeship, when he went to Greenville, Pa., worked 
at his trade, and studied with Rev. James Alexander 
(40), who was pastor of the church at that place. 
Whilst there he made a profession of religion. From 
this place he went to Zelienople, Pa., and pursued his 
studies under great difficulties, but with considerable 
success. He was also tutor in the family of Judge 
Derickson, at Meadville, Pa. Studying at the same 
time with Rev. Nathaniel West (47), pastor of the 
church there. He also studied for a time at Alleghany 
College. Finally he became a student at Amherst 
College, Mass., pursuing his studies under great and 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 337 

pressing difficulties, yet with a calm heroism that was 
well-nigh sublime. Sometimes he would teach in the 
neighborhood of the college, and recruit his finances. 
On one occasion, he went to North Carolina and taught 
for a time. He finally graduated. After this he taught 
for a time in the academies of Meadville and Erie, 
meanwhile pursuing his theological studies privately. 

He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presby- 
tery of Erie, on the 4th day of October, 1843. For a 
year or two, he was engaged in preaching in vacant 
churches in the bounds of the Presbytery, to the great 
satisfaction of those who heard him. But there was a 
nervous diffidence that oppressed him like a great 
shadow resting upon his heart, and often filling him with 
distress amounting to agony. Under this feeling of op- 
pression, he would sometimes walk his room wringing 
his hands in his distress, yet he felt at the same time, 
" Woe is me, if I preach not the gospel.'' 

In the autumn of 1844, he was designated by the 
Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, as a mission- 
ary to the Indians. In view of this, he was ordained 
by the Presbytery of Erie, on the 16th day of October, 
1844. John V. Reynolds (56) preached on the occa- 
sion, David Waggoner (54) presided, and Cyrus Dick- 
son (58) delivered the charge to the missionary. 

He labored amongst the Indians for a year or two, 
and then went as a missionary to Texas. He preached 
at Houston, Galveston, Austin, and Washington. He 
finally concluded to settle at Washington, Texas, and 
was dismissed from the Presbytery of Erie to that of 
Brazos, on the 25th day of April, 1846. 

Previous to going to the Indian country, he had 
formed the acquaintance of Miss Emily S. Messenger, of 
Wrentham, Mass., but who was then teaching at Mead- 
22 



338 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

ville, Pa. To this lady, Mr. Limber was married on the 
18th day of January, 1849. The marriage took place 
at Louisville, Ky., where Hiss Messenger was then 
teaching. The same day they left on board a steam- 
boat for New Orleans. On the 29 th of January, the 
boat lay to at the Lafayette landing. Then he went 
down to the city, took passage on another boat to Texas, 
and returned to his wife. After tea, and about dark, 
he remarked that he wished to procure a few Bibles to 
take with him, took an omnibus, went down to the city. 
At the Bible House he purchased his books, placed 
them in a satchel, and finding that the carriages had 
ceased running, started to walk to the boat, a distance 
of two miles, through the dark and stormy night. Here 
his record ceases. He never returned to the boat. 
Alone in that dark, tempestuous night, and in that city 
of great wickedness, he disappeared. Who shall finish 
the record ? Who tell how he passed away ? The 
completed history will be found only in God's great 
book above. Whose voice did he hear ? That of the 
midnight robber ? that of the wildly surging river ? Did 
some " horror of great darkness " envelop him as in a 
cloud from which there was no escape ? Great are the 
mysteries of time. Eternity will reveal them all. 

The stricken, widowed wife went on to Texas, and 
resumed her old employment. From boyhood, Mr. 
Limber was of a quiet, shrinking temperament, fond of 
reading, seldom playing, most inoffensive in his disposi- 
tion, and exemplary in his life. After the age of fifteen, 
his burning desire was to receive a liberal education, 
and after all his difficulties, he accomplished this, be- 
coming a good, critical scholar. 

The following tribute, written at the time of his dis- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 339 

appearance, by one 1 who knew him well, is so beautiful 
and just, that it is here reproduced : " He was gentle as 
a woman, tender and kind as a mother, generous almost 
to a fault, often to his own injury, sympathetic as a sis- 
ter. His heart was deep as woman's, and he added the 
mental qualities and discipline and worth of a man. 
He covered up great stores of wealth, that none but his 
intimate friends ever knew, under a modesty and diffi- 
dence very rare. His life was full of troubles. Poor 
from a boy, he struggled without aid through school and 
college, and became a superior scholar. His fears were 
great, and he was doomed to a constant strife. He was 
driven to and fro, and tossed by bufferings. He came, 
one scarcely knew whence, nor whither, how, nor where. 
He would hail you from Brokenstraw, from the Creek 
Indians, from Texas. He married, and has gone, none 
knows how, nor under what circumstances. As a mist 
he has faded from our sight." 

(68.) ALEXANDER BOYD. 

1825-1864. 

Alexander Boyd was the son of William and Mar- 
garet (McCann) Boyd, and was born in the city of 
Dublin, Ireland, about the year 1796. His father was 
a merchant of Armagh, Ireland, but about the year 
1825, removed to Paisley, Scotland. Alexander Boyd 
had one brother named William, a printer, and two sis- 
ters, who married and settled in Scotland. 

The subject of this sketch was taken in childhood, 
and raised by his grandfather, who was a pious and de- 
voted man. He was designed for the ministry ; and 
after some preparatory education, was sent to Queen's 
i Rev. J. V. Reynolds, D.D. 



340 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

College, Belfast. Dr. Edgar was at that time a pro- 
fessor, and the late Dr. Edgar, son of the professor, was 
his fellow-student. He completed his course about the 
year 1825, and was licensed to preach the gospel by 
the Presbytery of Donegan, now Londonderry. Be- 
fore the Union, he was a seceder. 

Intending to emigrate to America, he declined all 
calls to a pastoral settlement, although he remained 
some years, preaching in various vacant churches as 
opportunity offered. Amongst other places, he supplied 
the congregation of Stranorlar, near his grandfather's. 

In April, 1829, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Ann Dickey, daughter of Rev. Wm, Dickey, of Car- 
nom, Ireland, at which place her brother, Rev. John 
Dickey, is now settled, as successor to his father. Her 
father's ministry in that congregation extended over a 
period of fifty years. Her brother, Rev. Joseph Dickey, 
is settled at Kilrea, in the County of Londonderry, Ire- 
land, and her remaining brother Robert, is a ruling 
elder in the U. P. Church, at Greenville, Pa. 

Mr. Boyd emigrated to America in the year 1831, 
and landed in Philadelphia, where he tarried for a time, 
but declined all overtures looking toward a settlement, 
as he wished to explore the country, and particularly to 
visit the great West. Soon after this, he removed to 
Alleghany County, and spent some time within the 
bounds of the Presbytery of Alleghany. He was, at 
this time, in connection with the Associate Presbyterian 
Church. About the year 1835, he accepted calls to the 
Associate Presbyterian Church of New Castle, Pa., 
where he was ordained and installed as pastor by the 
Presbytery of Shenango. He also preached a portion 
of his time at Wilmington and Mount Prospect, in 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 341 

connection with New Castle. He continued in these 
charges some ten years. 

His views having changed in some matters, Mr. 
Boyd proposed changing his ecclesiastical relation, and 
on the 2 2d day of October, 1845, he was received as a 
member into the Presbytery of Erie. From this he 
passed by certificate to the Presbytery of Steubenville. 

He preached for a time at Beech Woods, but declin- 
ing a call there, passed into the bounds of the Presby- 
tery of Huntington, and became pastor of the churches 
of Fruit Hill and Mount Pleasant. In this charge he 
labored pleasantly and successfully for five or six years. 
It was with great reluctance that the people of these 
congregations consented to part with him ; but he felt 
that there were reasons why he should remove further 
westward. He removed to the State of Iowa about the 
year 1853, and settled in Solon, of which church he 
was elected pastor. After laboring here for some years, 
he resigned his pastoral charge, though he labored in 
various places in the region until his death, which oc- 
curred at Newport Centre, Iowa, December 9, 1864, in 
the sixty-ninth year of his age and the thirty-ninth of 
his ministry. He left a widow and six children, three 
sons and three daughters. From the beginning of his 
last illness, he had no hope or desire of recovery, but 
was patient and resigned, and longed to depart and be 
with Christ. 

(70.) JOHN KINKEAD CORNYK 

1845-1853. 

John K. Cornyn was a native of Cumberland 
County, Pa. He was born at Carlisle, Pa., on the 16th 
day of August, 1815. His earlier life was spent in the 



342 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

acquisition and practice of a mechanical trade. He 
was a student of Jefferson College, where he graduated 
in the autumn of 1842. Soon after graduation, he be- 
came a student of theology in the Western Theological 
Seminary. Here he remained the full term of three 
years, when he was licensed by the Presbytery of Alle- 
ghany on the 3d day of April, 1845. 

For two years after his licensure, he was employed in 
supplying vacant churches in the bounds of Alleghany 
and neighboring presbyteries, having his head-quarters 
mainly at the Western Theological Seminary, which he 
considered as his home. About the beginning of the 
year 1847, he came into the bounds of the Presbytery 
of Erie, where he preached to the congregations of 
Sturgeonville, Girard, and Harbor Creek. Having ac- 
cepted calls from these congregations, he was ordained 
and installed as their pastor by the Presbytery of Erie, 
on the 11th day of August, 1847. In these services, 
Rev. Alexander Cunningham (65) preached the ser- 
mon, Rev. Robert Glenn presided, Rev. Cyrus Dickson 
(58) delivered the charge to the pastor, and Rev. James 
Coulter (62) the charge to the people. 

On the 4th day of April, 1850, the pastoral relation 
was dissolved between Mr. Cornyn and the congrega- 
tions of Girard and Harbor Creek, and on June 19, 
1850, between him and Sturgeonville. 

During the interval of a year, Mr. Cornyn was em- 
ployed in preaching in vacant churches, when, at his 
own request, he was dismissed from the Presbytery of 
Erie, with the view of connecting himself with the 
Presbytery of Wyoming. After this, Mr. Cornyn la- 
bored for a time in Troy, Pa., but failing health soon 
obliged him to retire from the active duties of the min- 
istry. His disease developed into consumption, and he 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 343 

lingered until the 22d day of December, 1853, when he 
passed away from earth. 

On the 21st day of March, 1848, Mr. Cornyn was 
united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Frost, who, with 
two or three children, still survives him. 

During his period of ill health, Mr. Cornyn prepared 
and published a work called " Dick Wilson, or the 
Rumseller's Victim," that was designed to illustrate the 
evils of intemperance. There were many noble traits in 
his character. Although not possessing that just balance 
that constitutes the fully rounded outline of a desirable 
character, he was yet generous, sympathizing, and kind. 
With an exuberant flow of beautiful language, and nice 
taste in the choice of words, he was well calculated to 
be an attractive public speaker. Yet withal there was a 
sluggishness of mind that kept him back from the high- 
est excellence in his profession. 

(71.) LEWIS W. WILLIAMS. 

1840-1857. 

Lewis W. Williams was descended from an old 
Pennsylvania family. Lie was the son of Hudson and 
Agnes (Gray) Williams. The name of his paternal 
grandfather was Lewis Williams, that of his maternal 
grandfather, William Gray. He was one of a family 
of five children, a son and daughter being older, and a 
son and daughter younger than himself. His father 
was a brother of the late Rev. Joshua Williams, D. D., 
of Newville, Pa. 

Lewis W. Williams was born at Bellefonte, Centre 
County, Pa., on the 29th day of January, 1807. Dur- 
ing his infancy, his parents removed from Bellefonte to 
the neighborhood of Milton, Pa. Here his father died 



344 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

in March, 1814. His mother survived until March 27, 
1850. Lewis made a profession of religion in his nine- 
teenth year, and united with the Presbyterian church 
of Milton. 

The matter of the gospel ministry seems to have oc- 
cupied his mind even before he made a public profession 
of religion. An older brother writes : " To my certain 
knowledge, it was his earnest wish, early in life, that 
Providence would open up the way for his receiving an 
education. From the time he commenced his studies, 
his mind was entirely set on preaching the gospel." 

The means of accomplishing this desire were fur- 
nished by his brothers. After spending a number of 
years in teaching in the district schools, he commenced 
his classical studies in the Milton Academy. Here he 
prepared for the sophomore class, which he entered at 
Princeton College, in the fall of 1833. He was graduated 
in 1836, standing, in point of scholarship, among the 
first in his class. His theological studies were pursued 
in the Princeton Theological Seminary. He was li- 
censed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Phil- 
adelphia, on the 21st day of April, 1840. 

His first pastoral charge was at Indiana, Pa. The 
opening to that field seemed providential. He had 
been advised to spend a year in travelling as a mission- 
ary, for the purpose of recuperating his health, and was 
putting the advice to the practical test, when he stopped 
at Indiana to spend the Sabbath. The Presbyterian 
church at that place being vacant, he was invited to 
preach. He did so, and the congregation were so fa- 
vorably impressed in regard to him, that they prevailed 
on him to abandon the idea of travelling and remain 
with them. The way seemed so plain, that their call 
was accepted, and he was ordained by the Presbytery 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 345 

of Blairsville, on the 12th day of May, 1841, as pastor 
of the church of Indiana, Pa. 

During the early part of the following winter, his 
health became so much enfeebled that he was prevailed 
upon to take a tour to the South. His health not im- 
proving materially, his stay was protracted, and some 
misunderstanding having arisen, his pastoral relation 
was dissolved. On his return to Pennsylvania, the at- 
tachment was so strong between Mr. Williams and his 
people, that new calls were prepared for him. These 
calls were accepted, and on the 12th day of July, 1843, 
he was reinstalled. 

But the new relation was not as pleasant as he had 
anticipated. His prospects of usefulness did not seem 
as good as before. On the 4th day of March, 1844, at 
his own request, the pastoral relation was again dis- 
solved. This was perhaps an imprudent step. It is 
said that Mr. Williams ever afterwards regretted it 
himself. 

About this time he was tendered a professorship in 
Washington College, Tennessee. This professorship 
was accepted, and he at once entered upon the dis- 
charge of its duties. 

On the 20th day of October, 1844, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary Thompson, daughter of Mr. 
Samuel Thompson of Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Owing chiefly to the delicate health of his wife, he 
resigned his professorship and returned to Pittsburgh, 
Pa., in the fall of 1845, and on the 8th day of January 
following, was called to mourn over the early death of 
his wife. She died at Pittsburgh, leaving an infant 
daughter, who afterwards received her own name — 
Mary Thompson. 

During the summer following, he received an invita- 



346 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

tion to visit Greenville, Mercer County, Pa., within the 
bounds of the Presbytery of Erie. He became a mem- 
ber of the Presbytery of Erie on the 27th day of Octo- 
ber, 1847, and labored in the congregation of Greenville 
as a stated supply for about two years. 

The summer of 1848 was spent in supplying the 
churches of Rock Island and Camden, 111. 

On the 20th February, 1849, he was again united in 
marriage to Miss Caroline Larimore, daughter of Rob- 
ert Larimore, Esq., of Columbus, Ohio. 

His next field of labor was in Holidaysburg, Pa., 
where, assisted by his wife, who was an accomplished 
and successful teacher, he opened a male and female 
academy, which was carried forward with encouraging 
success for about two years. During this time he 
preached every third Sabbath at Martinsburg, a neigh- 
boring village. 

But teaching, although to his taste, and pursued with 
profit, was not preaching the gospel, and he came to the 
conclusion that he must give up teaching at any sacrifice, 
even though but a bare pittance might be the conse- 
quence. It was the soul cry of the Apostle repeated, 
" Woe is me if I preach not the gospel." 

In the fall of 1851, he received and accepted calls 
from the united congregations of Lower Path Valley 
and Burnt Cabins, in the Presbvtery of Carlisle, where 
he was installed the following summer. He had pre- 
viously been dismissed from the Presbytery of Erie on 
the 26th day of June, 1849, to the Presbytery of Hun- 
tington. In this new charge he continued for three 
years and a half, laboring faithfully and earnestly, and 
with much acceptance. 

In the spring of 1855, he resigned his pastoral charge, 
and accepted calls to become the pastor of the united 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 347 

congregations of Landisburg, Center, and Upper, in 
Perry County, Pa. This was his last charge. Here he 
was greatly encouraged by the promises of usefulness 
that opened before him, and commenced his labors with 
great zeal and energy. After the death of a beloved 
little son in October, 1856, he was greatly depressed 
and discouraged, and in this state of mind, went to the 
Upper church to administer the Lord's Supper. The 
means of grace were accompanied by the gracious in- 
fluences of the Holy Spirit, and a revival of religion 
was commenced that extended throughout his entire 
charge. The services were protracted for ten days. 
Then followed the usual exercises at Center, and the 
following week appointments were made for Landis- 
burg. These labors were a severe tax on his physical 
system, but they greatly refreshed his own soul. He 
labored not only in his own charges, but assisted his 
brethren in other churches in the Presbytery. It is 
believed that his exhausting labors, performed under 
such exciting circumstances, during that winter, were 
the principal cause of the giving way of his physical 
constitution and his rapid decline, the following spring. 

His last labor in the sanctuary was performed Sab- 
bath, April 26, when he preached three times, at differ- 
ent places. His last text was peculiarly fitting for the 
closing work of the ministry, " Without holiness no 
man shall see the Lord." His discourse from these 
words was deeply solemn and impressive. 

He returned home on Monday evening with a severe 
cold and sick headache. On Tuesday evening a physi- 
cian was called, but for several days his symptoms 
were not considered alarming. But there was a voice 
that warned him that his life was ebbing. On the next 
Sabbath he remarked to his wife, " My feelings are not 



348 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

very fervent, but my faith is strong. I have no right- 
eousness of my own to recommend me to the favor of 
God ; but I will tell you what I have that is far better. 
I have a Saviour ! His righteousness will give me a 
sure passport. How sweet the name of Jesus sounds ! 
Jesus my Saviour ! " 

On Tuesday he was informed by his physician that 
he could not recover. " Yes, yes," he replied, " the 
Lord's will be done." The next evening, being that of 
the prayer-meeting, he remarked to a gentleman pres- 
ent, " Remember your pastor in your prayers. He has 
often prayed for you ; now you must pray for him." He 
would frequently say, " My work is done. His service 
was my delight ; but the Lord has nothing more for me 
to do. O that I could sing his praise ; but my harp is 
all unstrung ! " 

His lips were moving until almost the last. He 
whispered of those who had gone before, that he ex- 
pected soon to meet, and of those he was about to leave 
behind, with words of comfort for their cheer ; and then 
the great work occupied his mind, — " an outpouring 
of the Spirit of God," he feebly articulated, and then 
closed his lips, until they were to be opened in singing 
the " new song " in the upper sanctuary. 

He died of pneumonia, on the 7th day of May, 1857, 
in the fifty-first year of his age and seventeenth of his 
ministry. His remains rest in the little cemetery of 
the Center church. 

Mr. Williams left a widow and four children. Mary 
T., daughter of his first wife, and three little boys, sons 
of his second wife, — Louis L., Hudson R., and Walter 
Lowrie. 

He was of a nervous, sanguine temperament, subject 
at times to great depression of spirits, but always act- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 349 

ive and diligent in labor for Christ's cause. He was a 
fine writer, and always commanded attention in the pul- 
pit, not only for the substance of the truth uttered, but 
for the manner of its delivery. His last days were his 
best days, for God set the seal of his Spirit to his work, 
and he passed away just at the close of a most precious 
revival. 

(72.) LEMUEL P. BATES. 

1820-1860. 

Lemuel P. Bates was the son of Lemuel and Lucy 
(Wait) Bates. He was born at Blandford, Mass., in 
December, 1791. His parents removed to Southamp- 
ton, Mass., when he was quite young. His classical 
course was completed at Williams College, Mass., his 
theological at Princeton, N. J., where he graduated in 
1822. In 1820, he was licensed to preach the gospel 
by the Hampshire Congregational Association of Massa- 
chusetts. In the year 1823, he was ordained by a coun- 
cil of Congregational ministers as pastor of the churches 
of Whately and Templeton, Mass. 

In 1846, he removed to the West and became pastor 
of the Presbyterian church of Pontiac, Michigan, within 
the bounds of the Presbytery of Michigan. After 
laboring here for about one year, he went to Crawford 
County, Pennsylvania, and became a member of the 
Presbytery of Erie, on the 16th day of March, 1848, 
on certificate from the Presbytery of Michigan. In 
this Presbytery he became stated supply of the churches 
of Conneautville and Harmonsburg. This relation 
continued until 1850. On the 11th day of September, 
of that year he was dismissed from the Presbytery of 
Erie to connect himself with the Presbytery of Michigan. 



350 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Sometime after this, he connected himself with the 
Presbytery of New Lisbon, and labored in Utica, Ohio. 
After this he removed with some relatives to Illinois, 
and was for some time without charge, yet frequently 
preached as opportunity offered. In 1859, he took 
charge of the church at Edwardsville, Illinois, where he 
was laboring at the time of his last illness. 

In 1823, Mr. Bates was united in marriage to Miss 
Eunice Edwards, daughter of Deacon Elisha Edwards 
of Southampton, Mass. Mrs. Bates died at Southamp- 
ton in 1854. They had no children. 

Mr. Bates excelled as a preacher. His theology was 
that of the older New England divines, and to this he 
adhered to the last. He was a fine writer, and gen- 
erally had his sermons wrought out to a great degree of 
elegance. His ministry was successful, and many revi- 
vals occurred during his pastoral labors. 

In his outward appearance there was much to attract 
the attention. He possessed great dignity of manners, 
rather solemn countenance, and mild expressive eye. 
He was withal of a cheerful, even genial disposition, 
and at all times a most welcome guest. He was remark- 
able for physical endurance. During his labors at Ed- 
wardsville, he spent much of his time at the home of his 
nephew, Rev. Dr. Taylor of Alton, Illinois. He would 
frequently walk the whole distance, twelve miles, and 
still not complain of fatigue. An incident, illustrating 
his physical strength and jovial, sunshiny disposition, 
is related by his friends. A young minister who was in 
the pulpit with him had prayed for the u aged brother, 
now in the. decline of life " Some allusion being after- 
wards made to it, Mr. Bates replied, " I could whip him 
any day." 
In regard to his last days upon earth, one * who watched 
l Mrs. C. H. Taylor. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 351 

over him to the last is best qualified to speak : " His 
powers of physical endurance were remarkable, and 
when his last illness came upon him, he was wholly in- 
disposed to yield to it ; and did not give up the hope 
and expectation of recovery, until the day of his death. 
A partial unconsciousness came upon him unawares, 
and when aroused to answer an inquiry whether Jesus 
was near, he replied humbly but hopefully. He sang 
no note of triumph. As the spirit left the body, those 
of us who stood by him were electrified by the sudden 
illumination of his face. A radiant smile broke over 
every feature, as if a vision of delights unutterable 
had opened before him, and we felt that the golden 
gates were opened, and he had heard the plaudit — 
\ Well done, good and faithful servant.' " 

His death took place at Alton, Illinois, of fever com- 
plicated with other diseases, on the 7th day of March, 
1860, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and fortieth of 
his ministry. The same loving pen quoted above re- 
lates further : " We have erected a stone to his memory 
in the cemetery in Alton, where his body lies. On it 
are inscribed these familiar and appropriate lines : — 

" Servant of God well done — 
Rest from thy sweet employ, 
The battle fought, the victory won, 
Enter thy Master's joy." 

(74.) CHARLES V, STRUVE. 

Mr. Struve, was a native of Germany, and was a 
man of considerable scholarship. Soon after coming to 
the United States, he became connected with the Bap- 
tist Church. He had previously been a minister in some 
of the German churches of the Fatherland. He was 
received into membership of the Presbyterian church 



352 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

of Franklin in 1847, and on the 23d of June, 1848, he 
was received as a. minister into the Presbytery of Erie. 
He labored for a time amongst the Germans in the 
bounds of the Presbytery, and in the autumn of 1849, 
removed to Saint Louis, Mo., where he died in the month 
of October, 1849. He left a wife and several children. 

(77.) NATHANIEL MARCUS CRANE. 
1836-1859. 

Nathaniel M. Crane was the son of Oliver and 
Susannah Crane, and was born in West Bloomfield, 
New Jersey, on the 12th day of December, 1805. He 
was the child of pious parents, and was early instructed 
in the truths and practice of religion. He was designed 
for a tradesman by his parents, and was apprenticed at 
the age of fifteen. Making a profession of religion 
soon after this, his mind was directed to the ministry. 
He devoted himself to the work and employed the little 
means he had acquired by his industry in quiet prepar- 
ation for it. 

Having spent two years in Bloomfield Academy, he 
entered Williams College, Mass. Remaining here sev- 
eral sessions, his health gave way, when he travelled 
westward, and finding his health restored, entered 
Washington College, Pa., where he graduated in 1832. 
His theological studies were pursued in the Western 
Theological Seminary, Alleghany, Pa., and at Auburn, 
N. Y. During the progress of these studies, he decided 
to become a foreign missionary. He was licensed to 
preach the gospel, by the Presbytery of Cayuga, on 
the 13th day of April, 1836, and on the 6th day of July 
following was ordained by the same Presbytery, as a 
foreign missionary. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 35 



Soon after this he was married to Miss Julia A. 
Ostrander, and on the 13th day of November, 1836, in 
company with six other missionaries and their wives, set 
sail from Boston, to Southern India, to labor amongst 
the Hindoos. He was under the care of the American 
Board, and his point of labor Madura. Here he con- 
tinued to labor for upwards of seven years, until his 
health failed under the enervating influences of the 
climate. His physician giving it as his opinion that he 
was beyond the hope of recovery in that climate, he 
reluctantly severed his connection with the mission 
and in December, 1844, set sail for home. He landed 
in Boston early in May, 1845. 

After spending about two years in New Jersey 
amongst his friends, he removed with his family to 
Warren County, Pa., and engaged in agriculture. Con- 
tinuing in this avocation for about two years, his health 
was so far restored that he was able to engage in 
preaching. On the 26th day of June, 1849, he was re- 
ceived as a member by the Presbytery of Erie, and 
preached as a stated supply to the congregations of 
Sugar Grove and Irvine. Here he labored for six 
years, with great self-denial, and in the face of many 
discouragements. His support was very inadequate, 
and the field one that would have severely taxed the 
energies of a minister in full health. 

On the 27th day of June, 1854, he was dismissed 
from the Presbytery of Erie and connected himself 
with that of Clarion. He removed his family to Rei- 
mersburgh, Clarion County, Pa., and labored in the 
churches of Bethesda, New Bethlehem and Middle 
Creek. Over the former of these churches he was in- 
stalled pastor in 1855, serving the others as stated 
supply. 

23 



354 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

In the autumn of 1857, he removed to the West, and 
spent the following winter in Illinois. The next spring 
he removed to Indian Town, Tama County, Iowa. This 
was his last field of labor. He preached here for eigh- 
teen months, when he was attacked by typhoid fever, 
and died September 21, 1859, in the fifty-fourth year 
of his age, and twenty-fourth of his ministry. His last 
words were, " I die in the faith of Jesus Christ. 'Tis 
sweet to die in Jesus." * 

Mr. Crane was one of the purest of men. His char- 
acter was a model of excellence in all the characteris- 
tics that adorn humanity. There was a meekness and 
quietness and humility about him that won the hearts 
of all that came in contact with him. He was at the 
same time dignified in person and polished in manners. 
He was throughout his whole life a missionary. In the 
destitute regions of Pennsylvania and on the prairies of 
the great West, he was a missionary, as well as under 
the burning sun of India. And in all places, and 
under all circumstances, he was distinguished for his 
sincere and earnest devotion to the gospel and the wel- 
fare of his fellow-men. 

In person Mr. Crane was of medium stature, com- 
plexion rather dark, yet with a mild blue eye that 
kindled with animation in conversation and in public 
discourse. He was not fluent in discourse, nor was be 
free in the use of words even in conversation ; yet he 
was social, friendly, and even genial as a companion. 

One who was his companion on the ocean voyage and 
his associate for six years in the Madura mission, and 
who knew him most intimately, thus speaks of him : 2 
" You have brought to my attention the name of the 

1 Wilson's Presbyterian Historical Almanac . 

2 Rev. F. De W. Ward, D D. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 355 

purest, most symmetrical, and most excellent of men : 
one of whom it is difficult to speak as I would, without 
apparent exaggeration. My acquaintance with Mr. 
Crane covered more than six years, during which time 
our relations were intimate, as associates in the same 
missionary circle. He was, in its true meaning and 
strictest sense of the term, a gentleman. He was so in- 
nately, and without much artificial culture. I cannot re- 
call the word or the act, that was aside from perfect pro- 
priety and good taste. As a Christian he was intelligent, 
thoughtful, calm, with no fitfulness, and little demonstra- 
tion. What he believed to be right, he did with few 
words, and no parade of sacrifice. As a minister of the 
gospel, he was well informed in doctrine and ecclesias- 
tics, with no claim to a mastery of theological and exe- 
getical science. His discourses were written with a slow 
pen and carefulness of expression, were clear in style, 
instructive in matter, pious in spirit, and calculated to 
benefit the thoughtful hearer. As a missionary, he was 
fraternal in all his feelings towards his associates, ready 
to go to any place, and engage in any service assigned 
him. Though slow in acquiring the language, yet 
through catechists he did what he could for the parish 
placed under his care. He was greatly esteemed by all 
around him. 

" Among the many who have gone to India in the 
service of the American Board, there have been per- 
sons of more masterly intellect, profounder scholar- 
ship, bolder enterprise, more effective oratory, and 
wider reputation at home ; but for kindness of spirit, 
suavity of manner, singleness of purpose, true-hearted 
piety, and sincere desire to be and do right at all times 
and in all ways, Mr. Crane had no superiors, and few 
equals. I recall with greatest satisfaction, the days 



356 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

passed with him in traversing the villages of Southern 
India, on itinerating tours, with Bibles and Tracts, 
doing what we could in making known the name and 
claims of Messiah, the Saviour King. 

" In Mrs. Crane, was found the faithful wife and 
mother, the endeared friend, and the useful missionary 
assistant." 

Mr. Crane left a widow and six children, four daugh- 
ters and two sons. 

(85.) WILLIAM McCULLOUGH. 

1852-1858. 

Death came to this young brother in the very prime 
of life. He was younger in years, at the time of his 
departure, than any whose names had preceded his on 
the roll of the Presbytery of Erie. 

William McCullough, the son of Alexander and 
McCullough, was born near the town of Mer- 
cer, on the loth day of October, 1824. He was prob- 
ably baptized by Rev. Samuel Tait (3), the pastor of 
the church of which his parents were members, at the 
date of his birth. He was a child of the Covenant. 
And so we find him in early youth seeking the fold of 
the Good Shepherd, and consecrating himself to the 
service of the God of his fathers. 

After preliminary studies at home, he entered Jeffer- 
son College, at which institution he graduated in 1849, 
with a reputation and a record that would be creditable 
to any young man in the land. 

His theological studies were pursued at the Western 
Theological Seminary, where, at a meeting of the Pres- 
bytery of Erie, held at Evansburg, Pa., on the 15th day 
of September, 1852, he was licensed to preach the gos- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 357 

pel. The trial exercises on this occasion were, first, a 
popular lecture on Heb. xii. 25-28 ; and second, a pop- 
ular sermon on Phil. ii. 12, 13. 

The numerous vacancies within the bounds of Pres- 
bytery, afforded a fine field of labor for the young licen- 
tiate during the next year, when, at a meeting of the 
Presbytery of Erie at Conneautville, Pa., on the 7th day 
of September, 1853, he was ordained as an evangelist, 
with the view of laboring as a missionary near the out- 
let of Lake Superior. 

In these services, Mr. Sailor (79) preached the sermon, 
Mr. Eaton (76) presided, proposed the constitutional 
questions, and offered the ordaining prayer, and Mr. 
Reynolds (56) delivered the charge to the evangelist. 

On the 15th of October, 1853, Mr. McCullough 
reached his contemplated field of labor. This was 
Saut Ste. Marie, at the outlet of Lake Superior. Here 
he continued to labor under many and sore difficulties, 
until a church was organized, and a house of worship 
erected for its accommodation. 

In this remote place his faith and confidence in God 
kept him from despondency under his many discourage- 
ments. In one of his reports, he speaks of some of 
these discouragements : " Besides the general indiffer- 
ence and Catholicism which prevail here, I meet with 
various other errors, such as Universalism, Unitarian- 
ism, Swedenborgianism, etc." As to the " indifference," 
he mentions that some of the Board of Trustees of his 
church, had never even been out to hear him preach. 
But there was a brighter side to the picture. One of 
the first persons received into the church, on examina- 
tion, was a man who had been long years before a 
member of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland. For 
thirty years he had been in the employ of the Hudson 



358 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Bay Fur Company, married to an Indian woman, and 
had had his home amongst the savages. But all these 
years, and under all these disadvantages, he had kept 
religion alive in his own soul, and like Abraham of 
old, had erected his altar and had bowed at its side 
wherever he had wandered, and wherever he had so- 
journed. Feeling the weight of years coming upon 
him, this strange man who had in youth wandered amid 
the heather and broom of old Scotia's hills, and in his 
manhood amid the bleak hills and eternal snows of 
Northwestern America, gathers together his household, 
and makes a journey of sixteen hundred miles, with a 
view of ending his days and leaving his family in the 
midst of Christian society. So grace reigns, and thus 
will it ultimately triumph. 

But the missionary's health failed under the rigors 
of this inclement region, and with a sad heart he was 
forced to leave his little flock in the wilderness, and 
return to his home. Here he labored for some time 
with much acceptance in the congregations of Fairview, 
Sturgeonville, and Girard, although the state of his 
health precluded the idea of a permanent settlement. 
Sometimes, under these labors, he was ready to de- 
spond, and write bitter things against himself, as an 
unprofitable servant, but on receiving a member to the 
communion of the church of Fairview, who traced his 
religious convictions to his ministry, he rejoiced greatly, 
and said that this amply compensated him for all his 
labor for Christ. 

His last labor upon earth was in collecting funds for 
the erection of Park Presbyterian Church, Erie, Pa. 
His disease was consumption, and when forced to retire 
from all labor by increasing weakness, he returned to 
his native home, and in the arms of his parents, he 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 359 

sweetly fell asleep in Jesus on the 1st day of February, 
1858, in the thirty-fourth year of his age and sixth of 
his ministry. 

Throughout his entire preparatory course, as well as 
during the years of his ministry, this young brother was 
subject to ill health, which paralyzed his energies, and 
filled him oftentimes with deep discouragement. In 
spirit, he was eminently peaceful and quiet ; in per- 
sonal faith strong, although his heart was often sad, as 
he looked out upon the fields white for the harvest, 
without the physical strength to enter upon the work. 
But the will, and the heart to labor, were accepted by 
the Master, and so he was called early to the rest and 
the reward, where the heart is never sad, and where 
" the inhabitant shall no more say, I am sick." 

The subjoined faithful and loving tribute, is from 
the hand of an intimate friend and ministerial broth- 
er: 1 — 

" It has been my privilege to walk hand in hand with 
William McCullough through every stage, from the 
commencement of his Christian journey. In the same 
social circle, the same preparatory studies, and the same 
ministerial labors, I have known him, not as companion 
knows companion, but as heart mingles with familiar 
heart. And everywhere I have witnessed from him a 
precious and beautiful lesson, which his life has fur- 
nished to all his acquaintance, — that of a character 
moulded by the truths which he professed. A distin- 
guished Professor has portrayed 'Our Theology in its 
Developments,' by an intellectual view, which renders 
our system clearer to every human heart. But it 
was given to brother McCullough to illustrate that 
theology in the conformation of a personal Christian 

1 Rev. J. I. Smith. 



360 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

character, which displayed the symmetry, completeness, 
and gospel likeness of the same system wrought out 
into actual life. 

" His theological views seemed to be but the accept- 
ance and transfer of Scriptural statements, without any 
trace of doctrinal formularies. He knew nothing of the 
intervention of human questionings between God's ut- 
terances and his implicit belief. Though familiar with 
the range of discussions, when he came to apply for 
wisdom to the Holy Scriptures, he appeared uncon- 
scious that there were opinions of others recorded. He 
drew near to listen only to the voice of the Most High. 
Nothing for a moment found respect with him, unless 
it was on the inspired pages of the Bible. If he saw it 
there, he transferred it at once to its appropriate place 
in his system, or applied it to its proper use upon the 
heart. 

" It was truth prevailed so distinguishingly to form a 
complete religious character. No veil of distrust hung 
between God's utterances and his heart. Consequently 
his habits of devotion were the responsive feelings of 
his heart to truths so close and real to him. None 
could overhear his exercises in private, or join his 
prayers in public, without being impressed and profited 
by the freedom and directness of his intercourse with 
God. It was the language of a fully confiding soul, 
speaking to a present God and Father. Many who 
have heard him, have longed to attain his holy intimacy 
in prayer ; but it was only the result of his habit of ac- 
cepting every word at once from God's mouth, cherished 
by practice and baptized by the Holy Ghost. 

" His entire character seemed to present a beautiful 
miniature of the gospel. Each truth which he em- 
braced, seemed to germinate and grow into its corre- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 361 

sponding trait, so forming the harmonious completeness 
of the Christian. In his work, he knew but one object 
and one degree of consecration to it — the measure of 
his life. He sustained uninterrupted cheerfulness, be- 
neath the languor and discouragements of a most dis- 
piriting form of disease. His work was speedily closed. 
His welcome, his rest, his reward soon reached." 

(102.) ROBERT TAYLOR. 

1861-1864. 

Robert Taylor was a native of Ireland. He was 
born in Ballynarig, County Derry, on the 12th day of 
August, 1830. His parents moved in the humbler walks 
of life, yet were devotedly pious. In his infancy, his 
parents emigrated to this country and settled in Phila- 
delphia. Here Robert enjoyed the careful religious 
training of a mother who, although often sorely afflicted, 
yet sedulously endeavored to discharge her whole duty 
to her household. To this son she was peculiarly at- 
tached ; and for him her faith was unbounded. As he 
approached manhood, and at times seemed light and 
wayward and unpromising, her prophetic saying was, 
" My boy will live and yet be a minister of the precious 
One, who loved me and gave Himself for me." 

He became a communicant in the Second Associate 
Reformed Church of Philadelphia, and by that church 
was enabled to prosecute his studies until he entered 
the University of Pennsylvania. 

In this institution he gave promise of great excellence 
as a scholar and public speaker. There was a bril- 
liancy and polish that shone out from his mind that was 
most attractive. But there was a change that came 
over him that filled his friends with apprehension 



362 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

and fear. The world became very attractive to him. 
The voice of pleasure was in his ear. The song of 
the siren attracted him until it seemed that he must 
be wrecked upon the rocks and devoured by the sea- 
monsters. He left the University in his junior year 
and engaged in business for a time ; married, moved to 
Cincinnati, Ohio, 1 studied law, and was admitted to the 
bar. After this he removed to Mercer, Pennsylvania, 
and commenced practice, with eminent qualifications for 
success. But the voice of the siren still followed him, 
and although he knew her song was luring him to ruin, 
he could not break away from her influence. With sur- 
passing gifts of reason and eloquence, he yet wasted 
his noble powers and threw away his influence. Others 
would undertake causes, engage his services before the 
jury, where he would appear with most persuasive elo- 
quence and power, and themselves reap all the substan- 
tial benefits. Says one 2 who was a fellow member of 
the bar of Mercer, " I well remember the first time I 
met him as an antagonist. It was before a justice, and 
on the trial of a trifling case. Not over a dozen per- 
sons were present. The case was a plain one, and I 
was surprised that he spoke at all ; much more so that 
he spoke as he did. I had never before heard a better 
argument, nor so much eloquence and beauty of diction 
in any trial, and before any court. His closing words 
were, 4 Surely I ask nothing wrong when I only ask for 
justice ! ' 

" He had accidentally left a manuscript in one of my 
books used at the trial. It contained the substance of 
his argument and the finest passages of his speech. I 
returned it to him with the remark, that he had made 

1 Wilson's Presbyterian Historical Almanac, 1865. 

2 Judge Trunkey. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 363 

too good an effort for such an occasion, ' No/ said he, 
' when a man speaks, he should always try to speak 
well.' The preparation for this small case is an index 
to his character. I never knew him to speak without 
preparation when he had opportunity to prepare. 

" When he closed his brief career at the bar, he stood 
in this community first for eloquence, among the first 
for power as an advocate and ability to arrive at correct 
conclusions on legal questions ; and for beauty and 
finish of his legal papers and reports he had no peer. 
He loved study. He loved to write. He delighted in 
the classics and higher order of literature. Before he 
left the bar, I often thought how much nature and cul- 
ture had done to fit him for a preacher of the gospel. 
His style of speaking seemed to me well adapted to the 
ministry — grave, earnest, and impressive. His mind 
was well stored with classical learning, and he seldom 
spoke without drawing therefrom to beautify and adorn 
his subject. His knowledge of English literature was 
very great. 

" He reasoned much by analogy. No man could 
better illustrate his subject by appropriate comparisons. 
His imagination seemed to be boundless. His tempera- 
ment was such that when composing he would write as 
though his audience were before him, thereby giving to 
his written addresses that spirit seldom reached in 
studied orations. His erudition and learning, always 
adorning and illustrating his theme, never rendered him 
pedantic." 

But all this time the mercy and grace of God were 
following him. His waywardness and folly were always 
obvious to him ; yet he began at last to see his danger, 
and resolve for better things. He was made to trace 
with an overflowing heart, the influence of a mother's 



364 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

prayers and the rich grace of a covenant-keeping God. 
The path of duty seemed plain. He sought once more 
the fold of the Church, and was received as a member of 
the First Presbyterian church of Mercer. The profes- 
sion of law was relinquished, and he became a student 
of the Western Theological Seminary. On the 8th day 
of May, 1861, he was licensed to preach the gospel by 
the Presbytery of Erie. 

Anxious to labor, as he remarked to a friend, where 
he could do the most good during his short life, he 
accepted an invitation to labor in Warren, Pa., and 
preached his first sermon to that people from the 
words : " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth 
peace, good will towards men." On the 13th of the 
following November, he was ordained and installed by 
the same Presbytery as pastor of the church of Warren. 
In these services John V. Reynolds, D. D., (56), 
preached the sermon, John R. Findley (92) delivered 
the charge to the pastor, and James M. Shields (88) the 
charge to the people. Here he continued to labor 
earnestly and with great acceptance, until September 
26, 1862, when at his own request the pastoral relation 
was dissolved, and he dismissed to connect himself with 
the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia. He had re- 
solved to accept a call to the Second Presbyterian 
Church of Germantown, Pa. He labored there with 
fidelity and earnestness. But he was not to continue 
long in that field. The North Presbyterian Church, 
Philadelphia, sought him for their pastor. The pressure 
was great. He loved his present charge. But the new 
field was large, and after earnest inquiry and prayer he 
determined to accept the new call. Accordingly ar- 
rangements were made to preach, on the following Sab- 
bath, his farewell sermon in the one congregation in 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 365 

the morning and his introductory to the other in the 
evening. 

But man's ways are not God's ways. Before the 
Sabbath dawned Mr. Taylor was upon a sick couch. 
From this couch he never rose. He gradually declined, 
until after a brief illness, in which he manifested emi- 
nent composure of mind and a calm and loving confi- 
dence in the Saviour whom he had preached and in 
whom he gloried as the Lord his righteousness, he 
gently entered into rest, April 15, 1864, in the thirty- 
fourth year of his age and third of his ministry. Life 
closed peacefully and calmly when he passed up to be 
with God. 

Mr. Taylor was an eloquent preacher. People hung 
upon his lips with breathless attention from the opening 
sentence of his discourses until the close. Yet there 
was a humility and a meekness about him that were 
most beautiful and attractive. The same friend, 1 whose 
language is quoted above, says : " I did not often have 
the pleasure of hearing him preach. His sermons were 
all that I expected. I thought he appeared meek and 
humble, if not embarrassed. He could not have been 
unconscious of his ability and eloquence, but to me his 
manner betrayed a diffidence far beyond what I ex- 
pected to see." 

There is no doubt but that constant application and 
study wore out Mr. Taylor's life. He would never 
preach without the most elaborate preparation. His 
discourses must be wrought out with the most scrupu- 
lous care and attention. In Germantown he com- 
menced lecturing on the Pilgrim's Progress, at his 
Wednesday evening prayer meetings. At first he took 
but little pains with the preparation of these lectures, 

1 Judge Trunkey. 






366 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

but their fame soon spread, and people came to hear. 
Thus encouraged, he began to write out these lectures 
in full, thus increasing a burden that was already too 
great for his physical system. The mind and the body 
were illy mated, and the latter gave way under the nerv- 
ous pressure of the former. It was the bright Damas- 
cus blade wearing away and cutting in sunder the scab- 
bard that was illy adapted to its power. 

In person Mr. Taylor was about the medium stature, 
dark complexion, dark brilliant eye, and generally mani- 
fested an abstracted air, as though his thoughts were far 
away. He was most unselfish in his disposition, and 
in his intercourse with others gentle, magnanimous, and 
forgiving. This was true even amid the bustle and ex- 
citement of trials and the confusion of courts. He al- 
ways maintained the "suaviter in modo." 

Early in life he was united in marriage to Miss 
Christiana, daughter of Thomas Pearson of Mercer, 
Pa., who survives him. They had no children. 



NOTICES OF LIVING MINISTERS. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 369 

(30.) JOHN VAN LIEVV, D. D. 

1820 . 

Dr. Tax Liew is of Holland origin. He is the son of 
Dennis and Maria (Suidam) Yan Liew, and was born 
in Neshannick, Somerville County, X. J., on the 30th 
day of September, 1798. His ancestors emigrated to 
this country with the early settlement of New York. 
His parents were married in 1789. John Yan Liew's 
education, both classical and theological, was acquired 
in New Brunswick, N. J. He graduated at Queen's 
(now Eutger's) College in 1816, and studied theology 
at the Theological Seminary of the Eeformed Prot- 
estant Dutch Church. He was licensed to preach the 
gospel by the Classis of New Brunswick, in June, 1820. 
In the summer of that year, he came to Meadville, and 
commenced his labors in the Presbyterian Church at 
that place. Here he was ordained by the Presbytery 
of Erie on the 22d day of August, 1821. In these ex- 
ercises, Johnston Eaton (20) preached the sermon, and 
Amos Chase (25) delivered the charges. This relation 
continued until June 21, 1824, when, on account of im- 
paired health, it was dissolved, and the next day Mr. 
Yan Liew was dismissed to the Presbytery of Jersey. 

In the spring of the next year, his health having im- 
proved, he accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church 
of Mendham, N. J. In the autumn of 1825, his health 
again failing, he took a tour to the Southern States, 
going as far as Georgia. After spending six months in 
the South, he returned, and soon accepted a call to the 
pastorate of the Eeformed Protestant Dutch Church, 
in Eeadington, N. J. In this church he has labored 
faithfully and successfully for upwards of forty years. 
24 



370 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

On the 20th of June, 1827, he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Ann M. Woodruff, daughter of Dr. H. S. 
Woodruff, of Mendham, N. J. They have three chil- 
dren. 

Mr. Yan Liew is of medium height, light hair and 
complexion, blue eyes, and rather slender form. His 
ecclesiastical connection is now with the Classis of 
Philadelphia, the most southern of any Classis in the 
Reformed Protestant Dutch Church. 

(32.) DAVID McKINNEY, D. D. 

1824 . 

David McKinney, the son of Isaac and Jane Mc- 
Kinney, was born in Mifflin County, Pa., October 22, 
1795. In his infancy his parents removed to Center 
County, Pa., where he grew up to manhood. He gradu- 
ated at Jefferson College in 1821, pursued his theolog- 
ical studies at Princeton, and was licensed to preach 
the gospel by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, in April, 
1824. Soon after he went to Erie, Pa., where accept- 
ing calls from the church of that place, he was ordained 
and installed by the Presbytery of Erie, April 13, 1825. 
In these exercises, Timothy Alden (27) preached the 
sermon, and Samuel Tait (3) delivered the charges. 
This relation continued until April 22, 1829, when, at 
his own request, it was dissolved, and on the 21st of 
September, 1830, he was dismissed to the Presbytery of 
Huntington. Dr. McKinney resided eleven years in 
Center County, Pa. Seven of these years, from 1834 to 
1841, he was pastor of the churches of Sinking Creek 
and Spring Creek. From 1841 to 1852, he was pastor 
of the church of Hollidaysburg, Pa. In 1852, he re- 
moved to Philadelphia, and established the " Presbyte- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 371 

rian Banner." In 1855, he removed the " Banner " to 
Pittsburgh, Pa., and conducted it until 1864, when he 
established the u Family Treasure." He is at the pres- 
ent time Librarian and Treasurer of the Synodical 
Board of Colportage. 

(36.) ABSALOM McCREADY. 

1825 . 

Absalom McCready was born in Washington Coun- 
ty, Pa., on the 6th day of June, 1796. He graduated 
a: Jefferson College, in 1824. His theological studies 
were pursued under the direction of Samuel Tait (3). 
He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery 
of Erie, on the 28th day of December, 1825. Having 
accepted calls from the churches of Middlebrook (for- 
merly Upper Greenfield), Union, and Beaverdam, in 
Erie County, Pa., he was ordained by the Presbytery on 
the 14th day of September, 1826, and installed as pas- 
tor. In these exercises, David McKinney (32) preached 
the sermon, Samuel Tait (3) delivered the charge to 
the pastor, and Giles Doolittle (33) to the people. He 
was released from Middlebrook in 1833, and from 
Beaverdam and Union in 1835. In 1837, he was in- 
stalled pastor of the church of Warren, Pa. This re- 
lation was dissolved in 1838. In 1839, he was installed 
pastor of the church of Neshannock. In 1845, he, 
with his church, was attached to the Presbytery of 
Beaver. The pastoral relation with the church of 
Neshannock was dissolved in 1858. 



372 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

(39.) PETER HASSINGER. 
1827 . 

Peter Hassinger, son of Peter and Jane Hass- 
inger, was born near Newark, Delaware, on the 24th 
day of November, 1801. He is one of twins. His early 
life was spent in agricultural and mechanical pursuits. 
Always serious and thoughtful on the subject of religion, 
he made a public profession in his eighteenth year, and 
some months afterward began to consider the matter 
of the gospel ministry. He commenced his classical 
studies in his twentieth year at the Newark Academy. 
His theological studies were pursued at Princeton, after 
which he was licensed to preach the gospel by the 
Presbytery of New Castle, in April, 1827. He preached 
for a few months in the vacancies around Philadelphia, 
when he received a commission from the Board of 
missions to labor in Crawford and Erie counties, within 
the bounds of the Presbytery of Erie. On the first 
day of October, 1828, he was ordained and installed as 
pastor of the congregation of Gravel Run. Giles Doo- 
little (33) preached the sermon, Amos Chase (25) de- 
livered the charge to the pastor, and David McKinney 
(32) the charge to the people. He preached in Water- 
ford one third of the time in connection with Gravel 
Run. This relation was dissolved in 1832, when he 
preached for a time to the churches of Evansburg, Har- 
monsburg, and North Bank in Crawford County, Pa. 
In September, 1836, he was dismissed from the Presby- 
tery of Erie to that of Washington, when he settled in 
Claysville, Pa. He resigned this charge in 1839, and 
settled in the church of Unity, in Blairsville Presbytery. 
He was afterwards settled at McVeytown, Huntingdon 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 373 

Presbytery. In 1849, he removed to the West. In 
the West he has been preaching, distributing Bibles 
and Tracts, and engaged in other enterprises, looking 
to the welfare of Zion. 

About the year 1831, Mr. Hassinger was united in 
marriage to Miss Anna S. Hyde, daughter of John and 
Mary Hyde, of New York city. She died on the 28th 
of March, 1855, uttering as her last words, " All will fail 
but Jesus." They had three children. 

(40.) JAMES ALEXANDER, D. D. 

1828 . 

James Alexander, the son of William and Eliza- 
beth Alexander, was born in Mercer County, Pa., on 
the 25th day of September, 1798. He was the first 
young man born in Mercer County, who was licensed 
to preach the gospel |by the Presbytery of Erie. He 
made a profession of religion in his twenty-second year. 
Soon after, he began to think of the gospel ministry 
but was deterred by lack of means. Without a knowl- 
edge of this, a Ladies' Missionary Society in Mercer 
offered to assist him, when he commenced his studies. 
Having studied for a time at Mercer Academy, he 
repaired to Jefferson College, where he graduated in 
1826. His theological studies were prosecuted under 
the direction of Samuel Tait (3), his pastor. He was 
licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Erie 
on the 9th day of April, 1828, and on the 13th of Octo- 
ber, in the same year, was ordained and installed pastor 
of the churches of Greenville, Salem, and Big Bend. 
Johnston Eaton (20) delivered the charge, and Pierce 
Chamberlain (38) preached the sermon. This relation 
was dissolved June 25, 1834, and in the following Janu- 



374 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

ary, he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Ohio. Dr. 
Alexander has labored with fidelity since that time in 
churches in Ohio and Virginia. 

(41.) GEORGE A. LYON, D. D. 

1828 . 

Dr. Lyon was born in Baltimore, Md. He gradu- 
ated at Dickinson College in 1824. His theological 
education was pursued at Princeton. He was licensed 
to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Carlisle, on 
the 9th day of April, 1828. In December of the same 
year, he was invited to preach at Erie, Pa., in the First 
Presbyterian Church, where he was ordained and in- 
stalled by the Presbytery of Erie on the 9th day of Sep- 
tember, 1829. Giles Doolittle (33) preached the sermon, 
Wells Bushnell (35) and Thomas Anderson (37) de- 
livered the charges. Dr. Lyon is still the pastor of this 
church. At the division of the Presbytery in 1838, he 
cast his lot with the New School branch. 

(43.) GEORGE W. HAMPSOIST. 

1830 -. 

Mr. Hampson was born in Huntingdon County, Pa. 
In early life his father, Robert Hampson, removed, with 
his family, to Harbor Creek, Erie County, Pa. George 
W. Hampson commenced his classical studies with 
Johnston Eaton (20), graduated at Jefferson College in 
1827, and pursued his theological studies at Princeton. 
He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery 
of Erie, April 4, 1830. He was ordained by the same 
body, and installed pastor of the churches of Oil 
Creek (now Titusville) and Concord June 27,1832. In 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 375 

these services, Giles Doolittle (33) preached the ser- 
mon, Johnston Eaton (20) and Thomas Anderson (37) 
delivered the charges. He was relieved of the charge 
of Concord in 1837. He also labored for a time at 
Cherrytree, and for many years has been pastor of the 
churches of Gravel Run and Cambridge, in Crawford 
County, Pa. At the division of the church in 1838, he 
adhered to the New School branch. 

(46.) WILLIAM A. ADAIE. 

1833 . 

William A. Adair, the son of James and Mary 
(McCord) Adair, was born at Poland, Ohio. He gradu- 
ated at Jefferson College in 1827. His theological 
studies were pursued in the Western Theological Sem- 
inary. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Hartford 
(now Beaver) on the 9th day of January, 1833. Hav- 
ing accepted calls from the congregations of North East 
and Harbor Creek within the bounds of the Presby- 
tery of Erie, he was ordained and installed as their pas- 
tor by that Presbytery on the 7th day of November, 
1833. In these exercises Johnston Eaton (20) preached 
the sermon, and James Alexander (40) and Pierce 
Chamberlain (38) delivered the charges. He was re- 
leased from Harbor Creek in 1834, and from North 
East about 1837. After leaving Erie Presbytery he la- 
bored for a time in Alleghany City. He adhered to 
the New School branch at the division of the church 
in 1838. 



376 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

(48.) SIMEON PECK. 

1830 . 

Simeon Peck, son of Ebba and Margaret (Taggart) 
Peck, was born in Lebanon, Grafton County, N. H., 
on the 16th day of October, 1799. His literary studies 
were pursued at Hamilton College, N. Y., and his 
theological at Princeton. He was licensed to preach 
the gospel by the Presbytery of Oneida, in June, 1830. 
He was ordained by the Presbytery of Buffalo, at 
Carrol, Chautauque County, N. Y., in 1834. Mr. Peck's 
life has been a stormy one, owing to the times and cir- 
cumstances under which he has exercised his ministry. 
He has labored successfully at Alden, Penfield, and Big 
Flats, N. Y., Salem, Ohio, Carrol and Otto, N. Y. On 
the 11th of May, 1836, he was received into the Pres- 
bytery of Erie, from that of Buffalo. In this Presby- 
tery he labored at Harbor Creek, Evansburg, and 
Neshannock. In 1839, he was dismissed to the Pres- 
bytery of Philadelphia. There he labored in Milford 
and Millville, Pa., also along the Atlantic Coast in 
New Jersey. 

In 1841, he turned his face towards the great West, 
laboring for a time at Findley, Lykens, Eden, Caroline, 
and Waynesburg, Ohio. In 1857, he removed again to 
the West, and pitched his tent at Omaha City, Ne- 
braska. Here he has been laboring in the midst of 
poverty and sickness and self-denial, as few of the 
Lord's ministers are called to labor. 

Mr. Peck has been twice married. His first wife was 
Miss Christiana Hollinshead, who died in 1845. His 
second wife was Miss Eliza Clark. Their children were 
thirteen in number, several of whom were called away 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 377 

in childhood. At two different periods in Mr. Peck's 
life, his house was burned, leaving him in poverty and 
suffering. His whole life in fact has been one of strug- 
gles and hardships. Yet withal, he has endured hard- 
ness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, content with 
labor and toil and suffering here, in the Master's work, 
with the hope of rest and peace and triumph hereafter. 

(49.) JAMES G. WILSON. 

1833 . 

Mr. Wilson was born in Dublin, Bucks County, Pa., 
January, 1806. His classical studies were pursued for 
a time at Doylestown and Newtown, where he entered 
Alleghany College, and graduated in 1829. He studied 
theology at the Western Theological Seminary, and 
was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of 
Erie, June 26, 1883. He preached for two years at 
Kandolph, Crawford County, Pa. On the 12th day of 
October, 1836, he was ordained and installed pastor of 
the churches of Greenville and Salem, in Mercer 
County, Pa. In these services, Thomas Anderson (37) 
preached the sermon, and Samuel Tait (3) and Na- 
thaniel West (47) delivered the charges. He was re- 
leased from this charge of Greenville in 1841, and of 
Salem in 1851. He was also pastor of Cool Spring for 
a portion of his time, from 1842 to 1850. On the 1st 
day of October, 1850, he was dismissed from the Pres- 
bytery of Erie to that of Iowa, since which time he 
has been laboring in that Presbytery. 



378 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

(50.) ROBINSON S. LOCKWOOD. 

1834 . 

R. S. Lockwood, son of Nathan Lockwood, was 
born in Springfield, Windsor County, Vt. When he 
was twelve years of age, his father moved with his fam- 
ily to St. Lawrence County, N. Y. Here he commenced 
his classical studies. He graduated at Middlebury Col- 
lege in 1832. His theological studies were pursued in 
part privately, and in part at the Auburn Theological 
Seminary. He was licensed to preach the gospel by 
the Presbytery of St. Lawrence, in September, 1834. 
He was ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, and in- 
stalled as pastor of the church of Girard, Pa., January 
11, 1837. In these exercises, Nathaniel West (47) 
preached the sermon, and Johnston Eaton (20), and 
George A. Lyon (41), delivered the charges. He was 
released from this pastoral charge in 1841. Mr. Lock- 
wood adhered to the New School branch, at the time of 
the division of the Church. 

(51.) REUBEN LEWIS. 

1836 . 

Mr. Lewis was born in Indiana County, January 1, 
1807. He graduated at the Western University, at 
Pittsburgh, in 1835. His theological education was 
completed at the Western Theological Seminary, and he 
was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of 
Blairsville, October 6, 1836. He was ordained by the 
Presbytery of Erie, November 1, 1837, and installed 
pastor of the church of Harbor Creek. He had labored 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 379 

previously as a missionary in the churches of Harmons- 
burg, Conneautville, and Big Conneaut, in Crawford 
County, Pa. He was released from the charge of Har- 
bor Creek in 1840, and dismissed to the Presbytery of 
Ohio. He labored afterwards for a time at Fairmount, 
Va. He is now in connection with the Southern Gen- 
eral Assembly. 

(52.) WILLIAM FULLER. 

1827 . 

William Fuller, son of Samuel and Mary (Hun- 
tington) Fuller, was born at Hampton, Conn., January 
28, 1801. He graduated at Yale College in 1825. His 
theological studies were pursued in part at Yale, and 
completed at Princeton. He was licensed to preach 
the gospel by the Windham County Association, Octo- 
ber 5, 1827. He was ordained by the same associa- 
tion, October 19, 1830. Much of his life and labors 
have been of a missionary kind. He labored at Bris- 
tol and Weston, R. I., and at Southhold, Long Island. 
In 1833, he took a tour west, as far as Louisville, Ky. ? 
preaching by the way. For the fixe succeeding years, 
he preached in different churches in New York and 
New England, when he settled in Conneaut, Ohio. In 
1838, he became a member of the Presbytery of Erie. 
In 1842, he was connected with the Erie " Ladies' Sem- 
inary." In 1844, he removed to Michigan, where he 
has labored in various churches with considerable suc- 
cess. 

In August, 1837, Mr. Fuller was united in marriage 
to Miss Margaretta Knox, of Carlisle, Pa. They have 
two sons. 



380 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

(54.) DAVID WAGGONER. 

1838 . 

David Waggoner was born in Dauphin County, Pa. 
His literary studies were pursued in part at Jefferson 
College, and in part at the Western University of Penn- 
sylvania, where he graduated. His theological studies 
were pursued at the Western Theological Seminary. 
He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presby- 
tery of Ohio, in 1838. Having accepted calls from the 
congregations of Georgetown and Fairfield, within the 
bounds of the Presbytery of Erie, he was ordained by 
that body on the 11th day of July, 1838. In these ex- 
ercises, Wells Bushnell (35) preached the sermon, and 
Absalom McCready (36) and Robert Glenn (44) de- 
livered the charges. He was released from these charges 
in 1853, when he became pastor of the church of Pu- 
laski, in the Presbytery of Beaver. In 1864, he re- 
turned to the Presbytery of Erie, and was installed 
pastor of the churches of Georgetown and Greenfield. 

(55.) DANIEL WASHBUKN. 

1825 . 

Daniel Washburn was born in South Brimfield, 
Mass., in the year 1792 ; graduated at Middlebury Col- 
lege in 1818, and was licensed to preach the gospel by 
the Presbytery of Bath, in 1825. He was ordained as 
an evangelist in 1831, by the same Presbytery. He 
was received by the Presbytery of Erie in 1839, and 
labored for a time at Evansburg, and was, in 1841, dis- 
missed to the Presbytery of Wooster ; thence he re- 
moved and became connected with the Presbytery of 
Zanesville. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 381 

In 1823 Mr. Washburn was united in marriage to 
Miss Elizabeth Diven. 

(56.) JOHN VAN LIEW REYNOLDS, D. D. 

1838 . 

John V. Reynolds, son of John and Jane (Ellicott) 
Reynolds, was born in Meadville, Pa. He graduated 
at Jefferson College in 1834, studied theology at Prince- 
ton, and was licensed to preach the gospel by the Pres- 
bytery of Erie, April 18, 1838, and was ordained by 
the same body, and installed as pastor of the church of 
Meadville, November 13, 1839. Absalom McCready 
(36) preached the sermon, Samuel Tait (3) and John- 
ston Eaton (20) delivered the charges. Dr. Reynolds' 
charge has not changed to the present time. 

(57.) EDMUND McKINNEY. 

Me. Mc Kinney is a graduate of Washington Col- 
lege, and was licensed to preach the gospel by the Pres- 
bytery of Carlisle. He was received under the care of 
the Presbytery of Erie, October 12, 1839, and ordained 
by that body as an evangelist, November 13, of the 
same year. He was dismissed from the Presbytery of 
Erie, to that of Carlisle, September 15, 1841. He was 
a government chaplain during the war. 

(58.) CYRUS DICKSON, D. D. 

1839 . 

Cyrus Dickson, son of William and Christiana 
(Moorhead) Dickson, was born in Harbor Creek, Erie 
County, Pa. He graduated at Jefferson College in 1837. 



382 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

His theological studies were pursued privately. He 
was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of 
Erie, October 13, 1839, and ordained by the same Pres- 
bytery, June 24, 1840, and installed as pastor of the 
churches of Franklin and Sugar Creek: From the 
latter church, he was dismissed January 1, 1846, and 
from the former, March, 1848. At the latter date, he 
was dismissed from the Presbytery of Erie, to that of 
Washington. From 1848 to 1856, he was pastor of the 
Second Church, Wheeling, West Virginia, when he was 
transferred to the pastorate of Westminster Church, 
Baltimore, Md. 

(59.) EDWARD SPENCER BLAKE. 

1839—. 

E. S. Blake was born in Westborough, Worcester 
County, Mass. He was graduated at Yale. in 1835, 
studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary, 
and at Andover, and was licensed to preach the gospel 
by the Woburn Association in 1839. He was ordained 
by the Presbytery of Erie, April 14, 1841, and installed 
pastor of the churches of Gravel Pun and Evansburg. 
Ill health compelled him to resign his charge at the 
close of one year, since which time he has been teach- 
ing, and engaged in secular business. 

(60.) HIRAM EDDY. 
1839 . 

Hiram Eddy was born in Pittsfield, Vt., in 1813. 
His literary studies were pursued at Hamilton College, 
N. Y., theological studies pursued privately. He was 
licensed and ordained by the Western New York Asso- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 383 

ciation ; the former date was January 17, 1839, the lat- 
ter May, 1840. He became a member of the Presby- 
tery of Erie, in June, 1841, and was dismissed to Buf- 
falo City in 1845. During the late rebellion, he served 
as a chaplain, and suffered imprisonment in Libby 
Prison. 

(61.) JOSEPH T. SMITH, D. D. 

1841 . 



Joseph T. Smith, son of Joseph Smith, was born at 
Mercer, Pa. He graduated at Jefferson College in 
1837, studied theology privately, and was licensed to 
preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Erie, April 14, 
1841. He was ordained by the same Presbytery, April 
20, 1842, and installed pastor of the church of Mercer. 
He was released from this charge in April, 1849. At 
the same time, he was dismissed from the Presbytery 
of Erie, to that of Baltimore, where he became pastor 
of the Central Presbyterian Church, Baltimore. 

(62.) JAMES COULTER. 

1842 . 

James Coulter was born in Mercer County, Pa. He 
graduated at Jefferson College in 1839, studied theol- 
ogy at the Western Theological Seminary, and was 
licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Al- 
leghany, in April, 1842. He was ordained by the Pres- 
bytery of Erie, September 14, 1842, and installed as 
pastor of the churches of Concord and Deerfield, in 
Venango and Warren counties. He was afterwards 
pastor of the churches of Sugar Creek, Harmonsburg, 
and Evansburg. On the 15th day of June, 1852, he 
was dismissed from the Presbytery of Erie to that of 
Alleghany, where he is still laboring. 



384 PRESBYTERY 01 ERIE. 

(63.) HENRY WEBBER. 

1843 . 

Henry Webber was born in Chester County, Pa. 
He graduated at Princeton, pursued his theological 
studies at the same place, and was licensed to preach 
the gospel by the Presbytery of Elizabeth town, in April, 
1843. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Erie on 
the 20th day of January, 1843, and installed as pastor 
of the church of Greenville, Pa. He was released from 
this charge, October 16, 1844, and on the 22d of Jan- 
uary following, dismissed from the Presbytery to that 
of Beaver. In this Presbytery, he labored for many 
years in the church of North Sewickley. 

(64.) JAMES W. DICKEY. 

1842 . 

Mr. Dickey was born in Zanesville, Ohio. His liter- 
ary studies were pursued at Hopewell Academy, and his 
theological under the supervision of Rev. Wm. Neill, 
D. D. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the 
Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, April 20, 1842, 
and ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, October 4, 
1843, and installed as pastor of the churches of Con- 
neautville, Harmonsburg, and Evansburg. In 1847, he 
was dismissed to the Presbytery of Richland, and be- 
came pastor of the church of Mansfield, Ohio. In 
1854, he returned to the Presbytery of Erie, and has 
since been pastor of the churches of Gravel Run and 
Washington. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 385 



(Q5.) ALEXANDER CUNNINGHAM. 

Mr. Cunningham, son of Thomas S. Cunningham, 
was born in Mercer, Pa., January 21, 1815, graduated 
at Washington College, Pa., in 1840, studied theology 
at the Western Theological Seminary, and was licensed 
to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Erie, Sep- 
tember 4, 1842, and ordained by the same, October 5, 
1843, and installed as the pastor of the churches of 
Gravel Run and Washington. He was released from 
this charge in 1851, and dismissed to the Presbytery 
of Alleghany. 

(67.) JOHN M. SMITH. 
1837 . 

Mr. Smith was born in Cannonsburg, Pa. He 
was for a time a student at Jefferson, but graduated at 
Washington College, in 1835. His theological studies 
were pursued at the Western Theological Seminary ; 
licensed by the Presbytery of Redstone, June, 1837 ; 
ordained by the Presbytery of Ohio, in 1840, and in- 
stalled pastor of the church of Mingo. In October, 
1845, he became a member of the Presbytery of Erie, 
and on the 28th of January following, was installed as 
pastor of the church of Warren, Pa. ; released from his 
charge August 11, 1847. He was dismissed from the 
Presbytery of Erie to that of Muhlenburg in March, 
1848. Since that time he has been mainly engaged in 
teaching, although preaching as opportunity offers. 

25 



386 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

(69.) MILES T. MEKWIN. 

1841 . 

Mr. Merwin was born in Milford, Conn., and grad- 
uated at Yale in 1828. His theological studies were 
pursued in part with the late Ichabod S. Spencer, D. D., 
and in part at Princeton. He was licensed October 13, 
1841, by the Presbytery of New York ; ordained by the 
Presbytery of Erie, June 24, 1846, and installed as 
pastor of the church of Irvine, Warren County, Pa., 
laboring at the same time at Sugar Grove and Warren. 
He was dismissed from .the Presbytery of Erie to that of 
Huntington, October 28, 1848. Here he labored for a 
time. Afterwards he visited Florida, and remained for 
a time, travelling into Alabama, and preaching at 
vacant points. Of late years he has labored as a 
domestic missionary, wherever the field has opened 
before him. 

(73.) LEMUEL GKEGOEY OLMSTEAD, LL. D. 

1837 . 

Dr. Olmstead was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., 
graduated at Union College, and pursued his theological 
studies at the Western Theological Seminary. He was 
licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Bea- 
ver, about the year 1837, and ordained by the Presby- 
tery of Erie, April 20, 1848. He then visited Europe, 
sojourning in Pome for several years. His principal 
business has been teaching. During the War of the 
Rebellion he acted as chaplain for some three years. As 
a scientific scholar and antiquarian, Dr. Olmstead has 
had few equals amongst his brethren of the Presbytery. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 387 

(75.) JAMES HENRY CALLEN. 

1848 . 

Mr. Call en was born at Raphoe, Ireland, and emi- 
grated to this country February 28, 1843. He gradu- 
ated at La Fayette College, Pa., and pursued his theo- 
logical studies at the Western Theological Seminary. 
He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery 
of Washington, April 19, 1848, and ordained by the 
Presbytery of Erie, October 25, of the same year, and 
installed as pastor of the church of Greenville. He 
was released from this charge June 23, 1852, and on 
the 12th of January following, dismissed from the Pres- 
bytery of Erie to that of Redstone. He was for a time 
pastor of the church of Uniontown, Pa. ; thence he re- 
moved to New Jersey, thence to Brooklyn, L. I. 

(76.) SAMUEL J. MILLS EATON. 

1848 . 

S. J. M. Eaton, son of Rev. Johnston and Eliza 
(Canon) Eaton, was born in Fairview, Erie County, 
Pa. He graduated at Jefferson College, in 1845, pur- 
sued his theological studies at the Western Theological 
Seminary, and was licensed to preach the gospel by the 
Presbytery of Erie on the 16th day of March, 1848. 
He was ordained by the same Presbytery on the 7th 
day of February, 1849, and installed as pastor of the 
churches of Franklin and Mount Pleasant, one third 
of the time in the latter place. He was released from 
the charge of Mount Pleasant, August 29, 1855, giving 
his entire time tc Franklin. He was a member of 
the Christian Commission. 



388 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

(78.) MICHAEL A. PAEKINSON. 

1849 . 

Mr. Parkinson was born in Washington County, 
Pa. He graduated at Jefferson College in 1846 ; 
studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary ; 
licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Ohio 
April 18, 1849, and ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, 
September 11, 1850, and installed as pastor of the con- 
gregations of Concord and Deerfield, the former in 
Venango County, and the latter in Warren County, Pa. 
He was released from this charge October 20, 1854, 
and dismissed to the Presbytery of Steubenville, in 
whose bounds he became pastor of the church of Island 
Creek. Lately he has been transferred to the church 
of Bloomfield in the same Presbytery. 

(79.) JOHN SAILOR. 

1847 . 

Mr. Sailor was born in Carlisle, Pa., graduated at 
Dickinson College ; studied theology at the Union The- 
ological Seminary ; licensed to preach the gospel by the 
Presbytery of Harrisburg, April 12, 1847, and ordained 
by the Presbytery of Pennsylvania, in June, 1848. He 
was received from that Presbytery into that of Erie, 
September 10, 1850. On the 4th of May, 1853, he was 
installed as pastor of the congregation of Warren, Pa., 
released from his charge August 29, 1855, and on the 
next day dismissed to the Presbytery of St. Joseph. 
Here he took charge of the Congregational Church of 
Michigan City. He is at present pastor of the church 
of Allegan, Michigan. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 389 

(80.) ROBERT SLEMMONS MORTON. 

1848 . 

Mr. Morton was born in Beaver County, Pa., grad- 
uated at Jefferson College in 1845 ; studied theology at 
the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach 
the gospel by the Presbytery of Beaver, June 14, 1848, 
and ordained by the same Presbytery, June 10, 1851, 
and installed as pastor of Mount Pleasant. On the 
10th of June, 1851, he was received into the Presbytery 
of Erie, and on the 10th of September following, was 
installed as pastor of the congregation of Mercer. He 
was released from this charge September 14, 1852, and 
on the day following, dismissed to the Presbytery of 
Blairsville. 

Since that time he has been pastor of the churches 
of Ebensburg, Mill Creek and Hookstown, and Slip- 
pery Rock and Newport, Pa. 

For a time during the War of the Rebellion he was 
Chaplain of the 140th Pennsylvania Volunteers, having 
been previously in the Christian Commission. 

(81.) WILLIAM WILLSON. 

1850 . 

Mr. Will son was born in Alleghany County, Pa. ; 
graduated at Muskingum College, Ohio ; studied theol- 
ogy at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed by 
the Presbytery of Ohio, June 19, 1850 ; ordained by 
the Presbytery of Erie, June 11, 1851, and installed as 
pastor of the congregations of Girard, Sturgeonville, 
and Fairview. He was released from this charge May 
2,-1855, and on the 26th of September, 1857, dismissed 



390 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

to the Presbytery of Kansas ; since which time he has 
been laboring successfully to build up the kingdom of 
Christ in that new State. For a part of the time dur- 
ing the War of the Rebellion he was an army chaplain. 

(82.) JOHN WESLEY McCUNE. 

1851 . 

Mr. McCune was born in Mercersburg, Pa. ; grad- 
uated at Marshall College in 1846; studied theology 
at the Western Theological Seminary ; was licensed by 
the Presbytery of Carlisle, June 11, 1851 ; ordained by 
the Presbytery of Erie, June 23, 1852, and installed as 
pastor of the churches of Cool Spring and Sandy Lake, 
in Mercer County, Pa. He was released from the lat- 
ter charge, February 7, 1855, and at the present time 
labors a third of his time in the congregation of Salem , 
in connection with Cool Spring. He was a delegate 
of the Christian Commission. 

(83.) DAVID GEIEE. 

Mr. Grter is a native of Ireland. He was re- 
ceived from the Presbytery of Wyoming, September 7, 
1853 ; installed as pastor of the congregation of Green- 
ville, January 18, 1854 ; released April 13, 1859 ; dis- 
missed to the Presbytery of Carlisle, September 28, 
1860. Here he was pastor for a time of the congrega- 
tion of Dickinson, but finally returned to Ireland. 

(84.) GEOEGE WEIGHT ZAHNISEE. 

1851 . 

Mr. Zahniser was born in Mercer, Pa. ; graduated 
at Jefferson College in 1846 ; studied theology at 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 391 

Princeton ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Pres- 
bytery of Erie April 10. 1851 ; ordained by the same 
Presbytery, September 7, 1853, and installed as pastor 
of the congregation of Conneautville, in Crawford 
County, Pa. He was released from this charge on the 
13th of April, 1859, and dismissed to the Presbytery 
of Huntington, when he became pastor of the church of 
Huntington. 

(86.) ROBERT F. SAMPLE. 

1852 . 

Mr. Sample was born at Painted Post, N. Y. ; grad- 
uated at Jefferson College in 1849 ; studied theology at 
the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach 
the gospel by the Presbytery of Northumberland, June 
8, 1852 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, October 
18, 1853, and installed as pastor of the church of Mer- 
cer; released from his charge May 7, 1856, and dis- 
missed the same day to the Presbytery of Carlisle ; 
pastor of the church of Bedford, Pa., until 1857 ; at 
present pastor at St. Anthony, Minn. 

(87.) JAMES IRWIN SMITH. 

1853 . 

Mr. Smith was born in Mercer County, Pa. ; gradu- 
ated at Jefferson College in 1851 ; studied theology at 
the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach 
the gospel by the Presbytery of Erie, September 8, 
1853 ; ordained by the same Presbytery, as an evan- 
gelist, August 29, 1854. He labored as a missionary at 
Ontonagon on Lake Superior, for upwards of ten years. 
He is at the present time a domestic missionary, located 
at La Crosse, Wisconsin. 



392 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

(88.) JAMES M. SHIELDS. 

1854 . 

Mr. Shields was born in Indiana, Pa. ; graduated 
at Washington College ; studied theology at the West- 
ern Theological Seminary ; licensed by the Presby- 
tery of Blairsville, April 11, 1854; ordained by the 
Presbytery of Erie, August 29, 1855, and installed as 
pastor of the congregations of Georgetown and Fair- 
field ; released from his charge February 23, 1864, and 
dismissed to the Presbytery of Alleghany City, where 
he became pastor of the congregation of Bridgewater. 

(88.) WILLIAM J. ALEXANDER. 

1854 . 

Mr. Alexander was born in Mercer County, Pa. ; 
graduated at Jefferson College in 1852. Studied theol- 
ogy at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to 
preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Erie, January 

18, 1854 ; ordained by the same Presbytery December 

19, 1855 ; and installed as pastor of Concord and Deer- 
field, in Venango and Warren Counties ; released from 
his charge January 7, 1857 ; on the 13th of April, 1858, 
dismissed to the Presbytery of Washington, where he 
became pastor of the congregation of West Union. 
Mr. Alexander is a nephew of Rev. James Alexander, 
D. D. (40), a former member of Erie Presbytery. He 
was a delegate of the Christian Commission. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 393 



(90.) CHAELES A. BEHRENDS. 

Mr. Behrends is a native of Germany. He was 
received into the Presbytery August 13, 1856, on 
papers setting forth that he was in connection w T ith a 
German Synod. These papers being found defective, 
his name was stricken from the roll August 12 5 1857. 

(91.) WILLIAM M. BLACKBURN. 

1854 . 

Mr. Blackburn was born in Carlisle, Indiana ; grad- 
uated at Hanover College, Indiana, in 1850 ; studied 
theology at Princeton ; licensed to preach the gospel by 
the Presbytery of New Brunswick, April, 1854; or- 
dained by the Presbytery of Lake, in 1855 ; received 
by the Presbytery of Erie, January 7, 1857 ; installed 
as pastor of Park Church, Erie, on the 25th of May 
following ; released from his charge December 22, 1863, 
and dismissed to the Presbytery of New Brunswick, 
where he became pastor of the Fourth Church, Trenton, 
N. J. Mr. Blackburn is the author of numerous Sab- 
bath-school books. 

(92.) JOHN ROSS FLNDLEY. 

1852 . 

Mr. Fixdley was born in Washington, Ohio ; grad- 
uated at Madison College ; studied theology at Oxford, 
Ohio ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Associate Re- 
formed Presbytery of Chilicothe, April 9, 1852 ; or- 
dained by the Associate Reformed Presbytery of 
Springfield, August, 1853; received into the Presbytery 
of Erie, April 29, 1857, from the Presbytery of Sydney ; 



394 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

and installed the same day as pastor of the First 
church of Mercer. Mr. Findley is son of Eev. Dr. 
Findley, of the United Presbyterian Church, and has 
three brothers in the ministry. He was a delegate of 
the Christian Commission. 

(93.) JOHN R. HAMILTON. 

1858 . 

Mr. Hamilton was born in Westmoreland County, 
Pa. ; graduated at Washington College in 1853 ; studied 
theology at the Western Theological Seminary; licensed 
to preach by the Presbytery of Blairsville, April 15, 
1858 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, June 15, 
1859, and installed as pastor of the congregations of 
Fairview and Sturgeonville ; released from his charge 
June 15, 1864; September 28, 1865, dismissed to the 
Presbytery of Washington. He is at present pastor of 
the congregation of Newark, Del. During the War of 
the Eebellion, Mr. Hamilton was for a time chaplain 
of the 145th Regiment Penn. Vols. 

(94.) JOHN DAGG HOWEY. 

1858 . 

Mr. Howey was born at Carrollton, Ohio ; graduated 
at Jefferson College in 1856 ; studied theology at the 
Western Theological Seminary ; licensed by the Pres- 
bytery of Steubenville, April 14, 1858 ; ordained by the 
Presbytery of Erie, September 21, 1859, and installed 
as pastor of the congregations of Mill Creek and Sugar 
Creek, in Venango County, Pa. ; released from his pas- 
toral charge April 26, 1865 ; dismissed to the Presby- 
tery of Columbus, April 25, 1866. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 395 

(95.) IE A MILLER CONDIT. 

1858 . 

Mr. Condit is the son of John and Mary (Zahniser) 
Condit, and was born at Georgetown, Pa. ; graduated 
at Jefferson College in 1855 ; studied theology at the 
Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach the 
gospel by the Presbytery of Erie, April 14, 1858 ; or- 
dained by the same Presbytery, September 24, 1859, as 
an evangelist. In the autumn of the same year, he 
sailed to China, as a missionary of the Presbyterian 
Board. He is at the present time in this country. He 
is a grandson of Eev. Ira Condit (24), one of the 
fathers of the Presbytery. 

(96.) ANTHONY CANON JUNKIN. 

1854 . * 

Mr. Junkin was born in Green County, Ohio ; grad- 
uated at Miami University in 1852 ; studied theology at 
Oxford, Ohio ; licensed by the First Associate Eeformed 
Presbytery of Ohio, April 5, 1854 ; ordained by the 
Associate Eeformed Presbytery of Boston, May 7, 
1856 ; received into the Presbytery of Erie, April 10, 
1860, from the Presbytery of Baltimore ; installed as 
pastor of the congregation of Greenville, June 10, 1862, 
and released from his charge May 8, 1867. He was a 
delegate of the Christian Commission, 



396 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

(97.) HUEY NEWELL. 

1848 . 

Mr. Newell was born in Centre County, Pa.; 
pursued his studies at Jefferson College, and the West- 
ern Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach the gos- 
pel by the Presbytery of Clarion, April, 1848 ; ordained 
by the same Presbytery in April, 1849. He labored for 
a time in Clarion County, Pa. ; afterwards in Iowa. 
He was received into the Presbytery of Erie, April 11, 
1860, from the Presbytery of Iowa. 

(98.) GEORGE SCOTT. 

1859 . 

Mr. Scott was born in Hancock County, West Vir- 
ginia ; graduated at Jefferson College in 1856, studied 
theology at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed 
to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Washington, 
in April, 1859 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, 
June 27, 1860, and installed as pastor of the congrega- 
tions of Greenfield, Evansburg, and Harmonsburg ; 
released from his charge, June 10, 1862 ; dismissed to 
the Presbytery of Steubenville, September 26, 1863. 

(99.) JAMES HILLIAR SPELMAN. 

1850 . 

Mr. Spelman was born at East Granville, Mass. ; 
graduated at Williams' College ; studied theology pri- 
vately ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presby- 
tery of North River, April 17, 1850 ; ordained by the 
Presbytery of Franklin, June 2, 1852 ; received into 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 397 

the Presbytery of Erie, April 8, 1861, from the Pres- 
bytery of Hudson ; dismissed to the Presbytery of 
Washington, April 13, 1864. 

(100.) JOHN GORDEN CONDIT. 

I860 . 

Mr. Condit is the son of William Condit, and the 
nephew of Rev. Ira Condit (24), and was born in Mer- 
cer County, Pa. ; graduated at Jefferson College ; 
studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary ; 
licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Erie, 
April 11, 1860 ; ordained by the same Presbytery, June 
26, 1861 ; installed pastor at Sandy Lake, and stated 
supply at Mount Pleasant, 1863 ; released 1864; dis- 
missed September 26, 1864, to the Presbytery of Fair- 
field ; stated supply at Salina, Iowa. 

(101.) JOHN HASKELL SARGENT. 

1856 . 

Mr. Sargent is the son of Winthrop Sargent, of 
Philadelphia ; born in Gloucester, Mass. ; graduated at 
Dartmouth in 1852 ; studied theology at Princeton ; 
licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of 
Philadelphia, April, 1856 ; ordained by the Presbytery 
of Erie, June 26, 1861 ; stated supply at Concord and 
Deerfield ; dismissed to the Presbytery of London- 
derry, September 23, 1863. 



398 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

(103.) NEWELL SAMUEL LOWRIE. 

1861 . 

Mr. Lowrie was born in Montour County, Pa. ; 
studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary ; 
licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of 
Saltsburg in 1861 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, 
October 22, 1862, and installed as pastor of the congre- 
gations of Conneautville and Harmonsburg. He was a 
delegate of the Christian Commission. 

(104.) JAMES HERVEY GRAY. 

1861 -. 

Mr. Gray was born in Ross County, Ohio ; studied 
theology at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed 
to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Alleghany 
City, April, 1861 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, 
October 22, 1862*; dismissed to the Presbytery of 
Clarion, April 25, 1866. 

(105.) WILLIAM T. HAMILTON, D. D. 

1823 . 

Dr. Hamilton is a native of England ; licensed to 
preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, 
October, 1823 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Jersey 
July 24, 1824; restored to the ministry by the Presby- 
tery of Erie, April 15, 1863 ; name removed from the 
roll, April 26, 1865. He was for a time pastor of the 
church of Warren, Pa. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 399 

(106.) WILLIAM PORTER MOORE. 

1857 . 

Mr. Moore was born at Tarentum, Pa. ; graduated 
at Jefferson College in 1855 ; studied theology at the 
Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach the 
gospel by the Presbytery of Blairsville, October 8, 
1857; ordained- by the Presbytery of Clarion ; received 
into the Presbytery of Erie, from that of Clarion, Sep- 
tember 26, 1863 ; stated supply at Oil City, Pa. Dur- 
ing a portion of the War of the Rebellion, Mr. Moore 
was chaplain of the 142d Regiment, Penn. Volunteers. 

(107.) GEORGE FAIRES CAIN. 

1861 . 

Mr. Caix is the son of George Faires and Rebecca 
(McCaffrey) Cain, and was born in Cumberland Coun- 
ty, Pa. He was a student of Dickinson College, Pa., 
and for seven years a member of the Carlisle Bar. He 
was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of 
Carlisle, November 9, 1861 ; ordained by the Presby- 
tery of Newton, and installed as pastor at Stroudsburg, 
Pa., May 28, 1863 ; received into Erie Presbytery from 
that of Newton, April 13, 1864; installed as pastor of 
Park Church, Erie, on the 11th of May following. 

(108.) WILLIAM MARSHALL ROBINSON. 

Mr. Robinson, son of John and Jane Scott (Mar- 
shall) Robinson, was born in Indiana County, Pa.; 
graduated at Jefferson College in 1841 ; studied theol- 
ogy at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to 



400 . PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Blairsville, June 
19, 1844; ordained by the Presbytery of Zanesville, 
January, 1846 ; stated supply for ten years at Hebron 
and Brownsville, Ohio ; pastor at Newark, Ohio, for 
seven years ; stated supply at Wellsburg, West Virginia ; 
received into the Presbytery of Erie, from that of 
Washington, June 14, 1864; installed pastor of the 
Second Church, Mercer, June 15, 1864. He was a 
delegate of the Christian Commission. 

(109.) LUTHER MARTIN BELDEN. 

1863 . 

Mr. Belden was born at Sandisfield, Mass. ; gradu- 
ated at Washington College, in 1861 ; studied theology 
at the Western Theological Seminary; licensed to 
preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Redstone, April, 
1863 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, December 
14, 1864; installed pastor of Sturgeonville and West- 
minster. 

(110.) JOHN RICE. 

1849 . 

Mr. Rice was born at Paisley, Scotland ; graduated 
at Glasgow ; studied theology at the Seminary of the 
Associate Reformed Church, Scotland ; licensed to 
preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Paisley, August, 
1849; received into the Presbytery of Erie from that 
of Saltsburg, April 26, 1865 ; stated supply of Fairfield 
and Sandy Lake. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 401 

(111.) HENRY BRUIN LAMBE. 

I860 . 

Mr. Lambe is a native of Ireland ; licensed to preach 
the gospel by the Presbytery of Alleghany City, Sep- 
tember, 1860 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, July 
11, 1866, and installed as pastor of the church of Mil- 
ledgeville, Pa.; released from his charge May 8, 1867 ; 
dismissed to the Presbytery of Blairsville, June 26, 
1867. Mr. Lambe was a chaplain during the War of 
the Rebellion, and suffered imprisonment at the hands 
of the enemy in Texas. 

(112.) JAMES JUNIUS MARKS, D. D. 

1835 . 

Dr. Marks is the son of the late General William 
and Alice Anna (Hanson) Marks, of Alleghany Coun- 
ty, Pa. ; graduated at Jefferson College in 1831 ; 
studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary ; 
licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Ohio, 
May, 1835 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Palmyra, 
February, 1838 ; received into the Presbytery of Erie, 
October 23, 1866, from the Presbytery of Ohio. Dr. 
Marks was chaplain of the 63d Regiment Pennsylva- 
nia Volunteers during the War, and was for a time a 
prisoner of war in the hands of the enemy. 

(113.) ROBERT STANSBURYVAN CLEVE. 

1865 . 

Mr. Van Cleve was born at Beaver Meadow, Pa. ; 
graduated at Princeton College in 1863, and Princeton 
26 



402 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Seminary in 1866 ; licensed to preach the gospel by the 
Presbytery of New Brunswick, April, 1865 ; ordained 
by the Presbytery of Erie, December 14, 1866; dis- 
missed to the Presbytery of Buffalo, May 8, 1867 ; pas- 
tor of the congregation of Westfield, New York. 

(114.) JOHN J. GBJDLEY. 

1837 . 

Mr. Gridley was born at Chesterfield, N. H. ; grad- 
uated at the Wesleyan University ; licensed to preach 
the gospel by the Methodist Episcopal Church, January 
14, 1837 ; ordained by the same, June, 1840 ; received 
into the Presbytery of Erie, May 8, 1867. 

(115.) JAMES JONES SMYTH. 

1844 . 

Mr. Smyth was born in Londonderry, Ireland. He 
is the son of William and Jane (Crawford) Smyth. He 
was graduated A. B., at Trinity College, Dublin, in 
1839, and A. M., at Glasgow University in 1840, and 
pursued his theological studies at Glasgow and Edin- 
burgh. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery 
of Winchester, April 21, 1844 ; ordained by the Pres- 
bytery of East Hanover, April 15, 1849. He was prin- 
cipal of Winchester Academy, and of Petersburg In- 
stitute in Virginia, for many years. Afterwards was 
pastor at Sussex Court House, Virginia ; stated supply 
in North Carolina ; also pastor at Greensboro, North 
Carolina. Afterwards was stated supply at Shelbyville, 
Indiana ; at the present time stated supply at Pleasant- 
ville and Concord, Erie Presbytery. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 403 

(116.) DAVID PATTON. 

1865 . 

Mr. Patton is the son of Archibald and Elizabeth 
S. Patton, and was born in Mercer County, Pa. He 
graduated at Jefferson College in 1860, was a student 
for a time at the Western Theological Seminary, and 
completed his theological course at the Reformed Sem- 
inary at Philadelphia. After this he was in the Army 
of the United States for upwards of three years, when 
he was licensed to preach the gospel by the Pittsburgh 
Reformed Presbytery, on the 19th day of May, 1865. 
On the 27th day of June, 1866, he was ordained by the 
same Presbytery, and installed as pastor of Cochranton 
and Shenango congregations. On the 25th day of 
September, 1867, Mr. Patton, together with his congre- 
gation, Cochranton, were received under the care of 
the Presbytery of Erie. 



PART III. 



HISTORICAL NOTICES OF CHURCHES. 



CHURCHES. 



MOUNT PLEASANT. 

This church is in Beaver County, Pa., near to the 
present town of Darlington. It was probably organized 
by Rev. Thomas Edgar Plughes (1), in the year 1798 
or 1799. It is, moreover, probably the first church that 
was organized within the ancient bounds of the Pres- 
bytery of Erie. Its first pastor was Mr. Hughes, in- 
stalled August 28, 1799, in connection with New Salem. 
He was released from his charge of Mount Pleasant, 
November 19, 1840. He was succeeded by Eev. Wil- 
liam D. Smith. The next pastor was Rev. Arthur B. 
Bradford, who was released from his charge in 1845, or 
1846. The next pastor was Rev. R. S. Morton (80> 
ordained and installed June 14, 1848 ; released from 
his charge in 1851. The next pastor was Rev. J. Wat- 
son Johnston, installed in 1853, released from his charge 
in 1856 or 1857. He was succeeded by Rev. A. W. 
Boyd. The present pastor elect is Rev. Albert Dil- 
worth. It is now under the care of Beaver Presbytery. 

NEW SALEM. 

This was one of the early churches. Rev. Thomas 
Edgar Hughes was pastor from 1799 to 1808. After 



408 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

this, it was long vacant. Eev. Ezekiel Glasgow was in- 
stalled August 31, 1813 ; died, April 23, 1814. The 
next pastor was Rev. William Reed, ordained and in- 
stalled April 11, 1821 ; released in 1860. Rev. D. L. 
Dickey is now pastor. 

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO. 

This is one of the oldest churches within what was 
anciently the Presbytery of Erie. The early records 
are lost. It is probable that it was organized about the 
year 1800. The first pastor was Rev. William Wick 
(2), who was ordained September 3, 1800. He was 
installed at Youngstown, Ohio, in the summer of 1801, 
having been settled for a time at Neshannock. He 
labored at Youngstown, Ohio, and Hopewell, then in 
Mercer County, Pa. He continued to be pastor of 
these churches until his death, March 29, 1815. The 
second pastor was Rev. John Core, 1 installed pastor, 
June 25, 1817, in connection with Brookfield, Ohio. 
He was released, April 10, 1823, after a successful pas- 
torate of six years, during which over one hundred 
were added to the church. 

After Mr. Core's removal, Rev. Enoch Bouton sup- 
plied the church until 1826. He was succeeded by 
Rev. Nathan Harned (34), who labored there until 
1826. In 1830, Rev. Ward Stafford was installed as 
pastor. He was released in 1837. Rev. C. A. Board- 
man succeeded Mr. Stafford, and commenced his labors 
in 1838 or 1839. He terminated his labors in October, 
1854. He was succeeded by Rev. Frederick H. Brown, 
who supplied the church until 1859, but was not regu- 

i Afterwards in Clarion Presbytery ; born, 1785; licensed, 1816 ; 
died, May 17, 1854. 



CHURCHES. 409 

larly installed. On November 9, 1859, the present pas- 
tor, Rev. Levi B. Wilson, was installed as pastor. The 
old people of the church speak of revivals of religion 
in the years of the past. In later years, 1858, 1862, 
and 1866, were years of the power of the Most High. 

Previous to 1831, the congregation worshipped in a 
log building- In 1826, or 1827, a brick building was 
commenced, but never finished. In 1831, a frame 
building of modest pretensions was completed and oc- 
cupied. During the year 1866, a large, commodious 
brick structure was commenced, that will soon be com- 
pleted. The congregation, at the division of the church, 
adhered to the branch popularly known as the New 
School. 

HOPEWELL. 

This church is in Lawrence County, Pa., and is one 
of the earliest churches organized in the bounds of the 
old Presbytery of Erie. The date of its organization 
is not now known, but it was toward the close of the last 
century. The first pastor was Rev. William Wick (2), 
who was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of 
Ohio, September 3, 1800, in connection with Neshan- 
nock. Mr. Wick was pastor until his death, March 
29, 1815. The next pastor was Rev. William Wood 
(10), who commenced his pastorate, in connection 
with Neshannock, March 11, 1816; released, June 25, 
1829. He was succeeded by Rev. William Nesbit, 
who was ordained and installed, October 7, 1829 ; re- 
leased, October 6, 1840. The next pastor was Rev. 
Henry Webber (63) ; installed, April 11, 1849 ; re- 
leased, June 29, 1853.^ Rev. William Nesbit was again 
installed in May, 1854 ; released, April 6, 1858. The 
present pastor, Rev. James P. Fulton, was installed 



410 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

May 28, 1867. This church is under the care of the 
Presbytery of Beaver. 

BEAVER. 

This congregation was under the care of the Pres- 
bytery of Erie, at a very early day. In 1808, it passed 
to that of Beaver, and in 1854, to that of Alleghany 
City. The first pastor was Rev. Ezekiel Glasgow ; 1 or- 
dained and installed, August 31, 1813 ; died, April 23, 
1814. He was succeeded by Rev. William McLain, 
who was installed April 7, 1824. It has been served 
successively by Rev. A. B. Quay, Rev. B. C. Critchlow, 
Rev. W. G. Taylor, and others, as stated supplies. The 
present pastor is Rev. D. P. Lowary. 

COOL SPRING. 

This church is in Mercer County, Pa., and was or- 
ganized by Rev. Samuel Tait (3), most probably in the 
year 1800, as he was ordained its first pastor, November 
19, of that year. This was in connection with the church 
of Salem. Mr. Tait continued to preach a portion of 
his time at Cool Spring, until 1813, when, by some ar- 
rangement between that congregation and Mercer, the 
people of Cool Spring agreed to worship at Mercer, 
and Cool Spring became practically disbanded. This 
arrangement continued until 1827, when, on petition of 
the people of Cool Spring, the church was reorganized.2 
On the 24th day of June, 1829, Rev. Ira Condit (24) 
was installed pastor for the one third of his. time. This 
relation continued until his death, October 24, 1836. 

1 Born in Beaver County, 1788; Jefferson College, theology with 
Dr. McMillan; licensed, October 17, 1810. 

2 Min. ii. 227. 



CHURCHES. 411 

Rev. David Waggoner (54) then supplied the church 
for a short time, giving them one third of his time. 
The next pastor was Eev. James G. Wilson (49), in- 
stalled in 1842, in connection with Salem, one half his 
time at each. This pastorate continued until 1850. 
The present pastor, Eev. John W. McCune (82) was 
ordained and installed June 23, 1852, in connection 
with Sandy Lake ; one half his time to each. At the 
present time, he gives two thirds of his time to Cool 
Spring. The church edifices have manifested a grad- 
ual improvement in architecture. The account of the 
first building has been given. The people now oc- 
cupy the third church edifice, a comfortable and neat 
structure. This church has been blessed with many 
revivals. 

SALEM. 

This church is also in Mercer County, Pa., and is 
first known as Upper Salem. It was organized in 1800. 
The first sermon in this congregation was preached on 
the banks of the Shenango, near where Greenville now 
stands. Mr. Tait preached the first Sabbath, and Mr. 
Stockton (4) the next. After this, preaching was en- 
joyed at a tent near the site of the present Salem 
church. At the organization, J. Stinson, .Robert Mann 
and Samuel Williamson, were the first ruling elders. 
Mr. Tait was ordained the first pastor, November 19 
1800, in connection with Cool Spring. 

This arrangement continued until the 28th of June, 
when Mr. Tait was released, giving half his time to 
Mercer. In June, 1813, Mr. Tait relinquished Cool 
Spring, and gave a portion of his time to Salem, until 
the year 1826, when he gave the whole of his time to 
Mercer. On the 13th of October, 1828, Rev. James 



412 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Alexander (40) was ordained and installed as pastor of 
Salem, in connection with Greenville and Big Bend. 
He was released from this charge, June 25, 1834. 

On the 12th of April, 1836, Rev. James G. Wilson 
(49) was ordained and installed as pastor, in connection 
with Greenville. He was released in 1851. Eev. James 
H. Callen (75) supplied the church for a short time? 
also, Rev. T. P. Johnston, until 1857. In 1858, Rev. 
James Coulter (62) supplied it, and in 18.59, Rev. David 
Grier (83). It is supplied at the present time by Rev. 
John W. McCune (82). 

MERCER, FIRST. 

The church of Mercer was organized in 1804, with 
twenty members. Rev. Samuel Tait was the first pas- 
tor. He preached but a portion of his time here, until 
January, 1826, when he gave Mercer the whole of his 
time. He continued the pastor until his death, June 2, 
1841. 

The second pastor was Joseph T. Smith (67). He 
was born and raised in Mercer, and ordained and in- 
stalled April 20, 1842. He was released, April 18, 
1849, after a pastorate of seven years. The third pas- 
tor was Rev. Robert S. Morton (80). He was installed, 
September 10, 1851, and released, September 14, 1852. 
The fourth pastor was Rev. Robert F. Sample (86). 
He was ordained and installed, October 18, 1853 ; re- 
leased, May 7, 1856. The present pastor, Rev. John 
Ross Findley (92), was installed April 29, 1857. Many 
revivals of religion have rendered beautiful the history 
of this church. 

The first place of worship was in a room over the jail. 
After some time a brick house was erected, but being 






CHURCHES. 413 

considered unsafe, was abandoned after some years. 
The present structure was erected in 1830, but has 
since been remodeled and greatly improved. 

MEADVILLE. 

This church is in Crawford County, and was proba- 
bly organized in 1800. Elisha Macurdy and Joseph 
Stockton (4) had preached here the year before. The 
first elders were John Cotton, Robert Stockton, and a 
third, whose name has passed away. Mr. Stockton, 
then in his twenty-first year, was called to be the first 
pastor. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Ohio, 
on the 24th of June, 1801, and installed as pastor of 
the congregations of Meadville and Little Sugar Creek 1 
(now Cochranton). One half his time was given to each. 
He was released from these charges June 27, 1810. 

The second pastor w 7 as Rev. Robert Johnston (14). 
He w r as installed, October 15, 1811, as pastor of Mead- 
ville, Little Sugar Creek, and Conneaut (now Evans- 
burg). This relation was dissolved April 2, 1817. 
The third pastor was Rev. John Yan Liew (30). He 
was ordained and installed August 22, 1821. He gave 
the whole of his time to Meadville, and was released 
from his charge, June 21, 1824. The fourth pastor was 
Rev. Wells Bushnell (35). He was ordained and in- 
stalled June 22, 1826. The pastoral relation was dis- 
solved June 26, 1833. The fifth pastor was Nathaniel 
West (47), installed May 11, 1836; released from his 
pastoral charge, June 26, 1838. The present pastor is 
John Van Liew Reynolds, D. D. (56) ; ordained and 
installed November 13, 1839. Of those who have sus- 

i This church connected itself with the Associate Reformed Church 
about 1820. 



414 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

tained the pastoral relation to this church, besides the 
present incumbent, one only survives — Dr. Van Liew. 
From the installation of Dr. Reynolds in 1839, the 
session remained unbroken for twenty-five years, with- 
out increase or diminution. At the division of the 
church in 1838, the Meadville church was divided, 
forming a second church, of the other branch. Of this 
church, Rev. Richard Craighead has long been the 
pastor. 

AMITY. 

This church is in Venango and Mercer Counties, and 
was organized probably about 1800. The first pastor 
was Rev. Robert Lee .(5) ; ordained and installed, June 
26, 1801, in connection with Rocky Spring. 1 He was 
released from his pastoral charge, July 14, 1807. After 
this, Rev. John Boyd (11) supplied Amity for a short 
time, and the second regular pastor was Rev. Ira Con- 
dit (24). His pastorate extended from the close of 
1825 to April 22, 1829, when he was released. His 
salary was at the rate of three hundred dollars a year. 
He served this church for the one third of his time. 
After this, Rev. Hezekiah May supplied the church for 
one year ; after him, Rev. Nathaniel R. Snowden for a 
year. 

The next regular pastor was Rev. Robert Glenn (44). 
He was ordained and installed as pastor of Amity and 
Mill Creek, one third of his time at each, on the 12th 
day of September, 1832. He was released from the 
charge of Amity, April 3, 1850, after a pastorate of 
eighteen years. 

The next pastor was Rev. Meade Satterfield, son of 

1 This church connected itself, at an early day, with the Associate, 
or Associate Reformed Church. 



CHURCHES. 415 

Rev. James Satterfield (6), one of the original mem- 
bers of the Presbytery of Erie. He was ordained and 
installed about the year 1850, in connection with Harris- 
ville. He preached at Amity about six years, when he 
was called to his rest above. The next pastor was Rev. 
John F. Boyd. He was installed about the year 1856, 
and continued pastor ten years, being released June 
26, 1866. The present pastor is Rev. W. D. Patton, 
commencing his labors about the close of the year 1866. 

This church has had an exciting history. Always in 
advance on the subject of slavery, they hesitated not to 
enter their protest against the acts of Presbytery and 
General Assembly, when not sufficiently awake to the 
subject. 

This congregation worshipped at first in the green 
wood, with a simple tent for the minister. They would 
sit in the beating rain and even snow, during the time 
of service and not become impatient. On one oc- 
casion during communion services, a rain-storm com- 
menced that bid defiance to umbrellas, and literally 
flooded the ground until the water was several inches 
deep. The first house of worship was of round logs, 
about twenty-two feet square, and built in a day. The 
next was of hewn logs, thirty feet square. This house 
burned down. It was the work of an incendiary. The 
present house is a frame forty-five by fifty-five feet, built 
at a cost of $1,300. 

This church has been blessed with numerous revivals. 
In the early days they had the " falling exercise," when 
the people could hardly be persuaded to leave the 
church or go to their homes. Within the past few 
years it has been greatly blessed. Amity is now under 
the care of the Presbytery of Alleghany. 



416 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

NESHAKNOCK. 

This congregation is in Mercer and Lawrence coun- 
ties, Pa. It was organized about the year 1800. The 
first pastor was Rev. William Wick (2), ordained Sep- 
tember 3, 1800, in connection with Hopewell. He was 
released from his charge June 30, 1801. The next 
pastor was Rev. James Satterfield (6), an original 
member of Erie Presbytery. He was ordained and 
installed by the Presbytery of Ohio, on the 3d of 
March, 1802, and installed as pastor of this congre- 
gation in connection with that of Moorfield. The 
first elders were William Jackson, Thomas Scott and 
Robert Stevenson. Mr. Satterfield was the pastor 
until the beginning of the year 1813. In July of that 
year, Rev. William Matthews took charge of the 
church and continued to serve it until 1815. He 
was succeeded by Rev. William Wood (10). Mr. 
Wood commenced his labors March 11, 1816. He 
labored at Hopewell in connection with Neshannock, 
until July 1, 1828, when he give all his time to the lat- 
ter. He was released January 1, 1837, after a pastor- 
ate of twenty-one years. 

The next pastor was Rev. Absalom McCready (36). 
He was installed October 14, 1839, and released from 
his charge in 1857. The next pastor was Rev. Robert 
Dickson, installed 1858, released from his charge 
1867. The present pastor is Rev. John M. Mealy. 

The first house of worship was of round logs, thirty 
feet square, with a hole in the centre of the roof through 
which the smoke ascended. The next building was of 
hewn logs, thirty feet by seventy. In 1839, the present 
fine frame building was erected. Many revivals have 
blessed this church, the most important in the winter of 
1866-67. 



CHURCHES. 417 



FAIRFIELD. 



This congregation is in Mercer County, Pa., and is 
one of the oldest in the Presbytery. It was organized 
in September, 1799, by Elisha Macurdy and Joseph 
Stockton. The first elders were Daniel Axtell, David 
Condit, and Ithiel Dodd. These men came from Wash- 
ington County, Pa., and arrived with their families at the 
place of their destination on Saturday evening. They 
camped out, and on the Sabbath morning held the first 
prayer-meeting, read a sermon, and catechized the chil- 
dren. That prayer-meeting has been kept up to the 
present day, and is blessing that congregation still. The 
first pastor was Rev. William Wylie (7). He was or- 
dained by the Presbytery of Ohio, April 13, 1802. He 
was released from his pastoral charge, December 5, 
1804. He had preached at Upper and Lower Sandy, 1 
in connection with Fairfield. In 1804, the number of 
communicants was twenty-six. The next pastor was 
Rev. Cyrus Riggs (18). He was ordained and installed 
pastor of Fairfield and Mill Creek, October 21, 1807. 
He was released from this charge April 8, 1812. 

The next pastor was Rev. Ira Condit (24). He 
was ordained and installed, November 8, 1814, in con- 
nection with Big Sugar Creek. He was released by 
death, October 24, 1836, after a pastorate of twenty-two 
years. 

The next pastor was Rev. David Waggoner (54). 
He was ordained and installed, July 11, 1838, in con- 
nection with Georgetown. He was released from his 
charge, May 4, 1853. The next pastor was Rev. James 
M. Shields (88), ordained August 9, 1855. He was 

1 Now Georgetown and Mill Creek. 
27 



418 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

released February 23, 1864. Rev. John Rice (110) is 
at present stated supply. 

The " falling exercise " was experienced in the 
early days of this church. Many revivals of religion 
were enjoyed. On one occasion at a singing-school, 
the singing was abandoned, Mr. Condit sent for, and 
the whole night spent in prayer. A church of the 
other branch was at one time organized from this con- 
gregation and that of Georgetown. 

UPPER SANDY, now GEORGETOWN. 

This church is also in Mercer County, Pa. It was 
organized by Elisha Macurdy and Joseph Stockton in 
1799. The first elders were William Byers and 
Alexander McCracken. The first pastor was Rev. 
William Wylie, settled April 13, 1802, released Decem- 
ber 5, 1804. After this Mr. Stockton, pastor at Mead- 
ville, supplied them one third of the time for one year ; 
Mr. Johnston also supplied them for one year. The 
elders removing about this time, the organization be- 
came extinct. About the year 1814, it was reorganized 
under the name of Georgetown, when Mr. Condit be- 
came their pastor, ordained and installed, in connection 
with Fairfield, November 8, 1814. Mr. Condit was re- 
leased by the Master, and entered into rest, October 24, 
1836. Mr. Waggoner was the next pastor. He was 
installed July 11, 1838 ; released from his charge, May 
4, 1853. The next pastor was Rev. James M. Shields, 
ordained and installed, August 9, 1855 ; released from 
his charge, February 28, 1864. In May, 1864, Mr. Wag- 
goner returned, and was installed again as pastor, for 
two thirds of his time, Greenfield taking the remaining 
third. 



CHURCHES. 419 

. In Mr. Condit's time this church was blessed with an 
interesting revival of religion. At a later day there 
was a revival in 1841, another in 1843, and a much 
more extensive one in 1848. During the last year 
there were added to the church about fifty persons. 

LOWER SANDY, now MILL CREEK. 

This congregation is in Venango County, Pa. It 
was organized about the same time with Upper Sandy 
and Fairfield, namelv, about 1800. Mr. Wvlie was 
the first pastor : ordained and installed, April 13, 1802 ; 
released from his charge of the united congregations of 
Upper and Lower Sandy and Fairfield, December 5, 
1804. At the first organization of the churches, the 
same session was appointed for both, but on the 11th 
of March, 1802, it was resolved to have a separate ses- 
sion for each. 

Mr. Riggs was the second pastor: ordained and in- 
stalled pastor of Mill Creek (Lower Sandy) and Fair- 
field, October 21, 1807 ; released from his charge, 
April 8, 1812. About the beginning of his pastorate 
the name of the congregation was changed to Mill 
Creek, the present name. In 1810, there were nine- 
teen members. 

There is a chasm in the history of this church, that 
cannot be filled up. It seems to have become disor- 
ganized,' the members probably worshipping at Fair- 
field and Sugar Creek. The late Rev. Robert Glenn 
records, that u The church of Mill Creek was organized 
in the fall of 1827, by Rev. Ira Condit and Ezekiel Con- 
dit, 1 Elder, at the house of John Gorden, there being 
as yet no meeting-house. By a vote of the congrega- 

1 Brother of the former. 



420 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

tion, the two oldest members were chosen elders, 
namely, John Gorden and James Adams. In a short 
time after, the congregation feeling the necessity of 
having a house to worship in, and not being able to 
hire a workman to build one, resolved to build a house 
with their own hands, there being several of them ac- 
quainted with the use of tools." The work was accom- 
plished with little expense save their own labor. 

Under its reorganization, Eobert Glenn (44) was the 
first pastor. He was ordained September 12, 1832, in 
connection with Amity and Sandy Lake, giving one 
third of his time to each. He served Mill Creek for 
one third of his time until September, 1850, and one 
half his time during the remainder of his life. He 
died September 6, 1857, after a pastorate of twenty-five 
years. 

The next pastor was John Dagg Howey (94). He 
was ordained and installed as pastor in connection with 
Sugar Creek, September 21, 1859 ; released from his 
charge April 26, 1865. 

SLATE LICK. 

This congregation is in Armstrong County, Pa. 
When it was organized is now uncertain. Its first 
pastor was Rev. John Boyd (8). He was ordained 
and installed as pastor, in connection with Union, on 
the 26th day of June, 1802 ; released from his charge, 
April 17, 1810. For nearly five years, the church 
was dependent on supplies. The second pastor was 
Rev. John Redick (26). He was ordained and installed 
over the same charge as his predecessor, September 28, 
1815, and labored in the same field until the close of the 
year 1848, when he resigned on account of old age. He 



CHURCHES. 421 

died July 11, 1850, after a pastorate of thirty-three years 
in Slate Lick and Union. He was succeeded in Slate 
Lick by Rev. William F. Kean, who was ordained and 
installed as pastor of Slate Lick and Freeport, in the 
spring of 1849. He was released from the charge of 
Slate Lick in June, 1864. The present pastor, Rev. 
Thomas C. Anderson, was ordained and installed Octo- 
ber 17, 1865. 

UNIO^N" (Armstrong County). 

The history of this church is almost identical with 
that of Slate Lick. Probably organized about the same 
time, it continued to enjoy the labors of the same pas- 
tor, until the close of Father Redick's ministry. About 
the year 1857, Rev. David Hall became the pastor in 
connection with Brady's Bend. He was released from 
his charge in 1867. 

PYMATUNEHTG, BEULA, AND TRUMBULL. 

These congregations constituted the original charge 
of Rev. Benjamin Boyd, and all seem to have become 
extinct. They were situated near the boundary line 
of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Mr. Boyd was installed 
over them November 12, 1806, and was dismissed in 
1809. These churches seem to have declined soon 
after. The names of Beula and Trumbull do not appear 
on the roll after the year 1810 ; and Pymatuning is not 
mentioned after 1813. The membership was probably 
drawn to churches springing up in more favorable lo- 
calities in the neighborhood. 



422 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 



BULL CREEK. 

This congregation was a portion of the original 
charge of Rev. Abraham Boyd (9), who was its first 
pastor. There is a tradition amongst the old members 
of the church, that it was organized as early as 1793 or 
1794. Mr. Boyd himself believed it to be the oldest 
church west of the Alleghany River. It is located in 
the neighborhood of Tarentum, Pa. Mr. Boyd was 
ordained and installed as pastor of this church, in con- 
nection with Middlesex, on the 17th of June, 1802. Dr. 
McMillan was present, and preached the sermon on the 
occasion. Mr. Boyd continued to be the pastor until 
the spring of 1833, preaching his farewell sermon June 
30 of that year. This congregation has furnished four 
ministers of the gospel. 

The next pastor was Rev. Samuel Caldwell, installed 
October, 1834. The next minister was Rev. J. Watson 
Johnston, who was stated supply for one year. In the 
fall of 1840, Rev. Thomas W. Kerr was installed as 
pastor. He was released by death, October 29, 1847. 
The next pastor was Rev. James M. Smith. The next 
was Rev. William G. Taylor, installed January 19, 
1857 ; released from his charge, May 1, 1861. 

Rev. G. W. Jackson was the next pastor, ordained 
and installed June 23, 1863. Mr. Jackson was pastor 
but a short time. The present pastor, Rev. John Ful- 
ton Boyd, a relative of the first pastor, was installed 
November 19, 1866, for two thirds of his time. This 
congregation worshipped for several of the first years 
of its existence in a grove. The first house of worship 
was erected in 1801. 



CHURCHES. 428 



MIDDLESEX. 

This too is one of the early churches in the history 
of the Erie Presbytery. Abraham Boyd was installed 
as its first pastor June 17, 1802 ; released from his 
charge in 1817. The next pastor was Rev. Reid 
Bracken (19), installed September 28, 1820; released 
from his charge in 1832. Rev. J. W. Johnston was pas- 
tor three or four years. Rev. Thomas W. Kerr was 
pastor until his death, October 29, 1847, after a pastor- 
ate of seven years. Rev. Ephraim Ogden, the present 
pastor, was installed in 1848 or 1849. 

MOUNT NEBO. 

The name of this church first appears on the min- 
utes in 1805. The first pastor was Rev. Reid Brack- 
en (19). He was ordained and installed by the Presby- 
tery of Erie, April 20, 1808. He continued to minister 
to this charge until 1844, nearly thirty-seven years, and 
only resigned through infirmity. Rev. Lemuel F. Leake 
was pastor in 1847 and 1848. Rev. Alexander Cunning- 
ham (Qo) was pastor from 1853 to 1861. The present 
pastor, Rev. William P. Harvison, commenced his la- 
bors in 1864. The church is now under the care of the 
Presbytery of Alleghany. 

PLAIK. 

This church was long connected with Mount Nebo, 
in the support of a pastor. The first pastor was 
Rev. Reid Bracken (19) : ordained and installed by the 
Presbytery of Erie, April 20, 1808; released from his 
charge, November 7, 1819. The next pastor was Rev. 



424 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

John Moore, installed in 1828 ; released from his charge, 
April 5, 1831. Rev. L. R. McAboy was pastor until 
1859. The last pastor, Rev. John W. Potter, was or- 
dained and installed in 1864 ; died, 1866. The church 
is now under the care of the Presbytery of Alleghany 
City. 

POLAND, OHIO. 

This church is in Mahoning County, Ohio, and under 
the care of the Presbytery of New Lisbon, Synod of 
Wheeling. It is said to have been organized May 21, 
1802, by Rev. Wm. "Wick, by direction of the Presbytery 
of Erie. The first pastor was Rev. Nicholas Pittinger 
(15), ordained, October 24, 1824, and installed as pas- 
tor, in connection with Westfield, Pa., one half his 
time in each congregation. He was released from his 
charge, March 20, 1810. 

The next pastor was Rev. James Wright, ordained 
and installed, June 26, 1816, in connection with West- 
field. He was released from his pastoral charge, Jan- 
uary 10, 1832. The next pastor was Rev. John W. 
Scott, 1 ordained and installed, April 3, 1834, by the 
Presbytery of Beaver ; released from his charge, April 
13, 1836. The next pastor was Rev. Edwin H. Nevin, 
installed, June 25, 1839 ; released, April 20, 1841. The 
next pastor was Rev. Joseph Kerr, installed November 
27, 1843 ; released, 1854. The present pastor, Rev. 
Algernon Sydney MacMaster, D. D., was installed No- 
vember, 1854. 

The people worshipped first in the grove, then in a 
log-house, then in a frame. In 1857, a fine brick edi- 
fice was erected. The church has had its troubles, yet 
can say, " Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." 

l Rev. J. W. Scott, D. D., late President of Washington College, Pa. 



CHURCHES. 425 



WESTEIELD. 

This church is in Lawrence County, Pa., and at pres- 
ent under the care of the Presbytery of Beaver. It 
was organized in the former part of the year 1803, 1 by 
Rev. Thomas E. Hughes, by direction of the Presbytery 
of Erie. The first elders were George Baird, John 
Hunter, and John Clark. The first communion service 
was held in 1803, by Mr. Hughes and Mr. Wick (2). 
The first pastor was Rev. Nicholas Pittinger (15). He 
first began to preach in this congregation in the autumn 
of 1803, and brought his family out the following spring. 
He was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of 
Erie on the 24th day of October, -1804, in connection 
with Poland, Ohio, one half his time in each. Difficul- 
ties having arisen in the congregation, he was released 
from his charge, September 13, 1809. The church was 
then vacant for nearly six years. The next pastor was 
Rev. James Wright, ordained and installed June 26, 
1816, in connection with Poland. This connection con- 
tinued until 1831, when Westfield called Mr. Wright 
the whole of his time. He served Westfield until Jan- 
uary 12, 1842, when, on account of infirmity, he re- 
signed his charge. On the 30th of March, 1843, he 
entered into his rest, and was interred near the church 
where he had preached the Word for so many years. 

The next pastor was Rev. Algernon Sydney MacMas- 
ter, D. D. He was installed, April 12, 1843, for the 
whole of his time. At his own request, he was released 
from his pastoral charge, November 9, 1854. 

The next pastor was Rev. Thomas G. Scott. He 
was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Beaver, 

i Dr. Dilworth. 



426 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

September 8, 1857 ; released from his charge, June 19, 
1860. 

The present pastor, Rev. William M. Taylor, was 
raised in the bounds of the congregation, and was or- 
dained and installed June 12, 1861. 

At the time of its organization, there were but twenty- 
two members ; there were, in 1867, two hundred and 
thirty-six. Numerous revivals have been enjoyed. The 
"falling exercise " was noticed to some extent. The 
first place of preaching was the grove. Walter and 
George Clark gave each an acre of ground for church 
purposes. Here a log-house was erected. Afterwards 
a frame building was erected, that served until 1830, 
when a substantial brick edifice was erected. This gave 
place recently to the fine structure in which the people 
now worship. To this people the lines have fallen in 
pleasant places. It was under the care of the Presbytery 
of Erie until 1808, when the Presbytery of Beaver was 
erected. 

PLAINGROVE. 

This congregation is in Mercer County, Pa., and was 
probably organized between 1796 and 1800. The first 
elders were William McNeel and Joseph Campbell. 

The first pastor was Rev. William Wood (10). He 
was ordained and installed as pastor of Plaingrove 
and Center, November 3, 1802, by the Presbytery of 
Erie. Dr. McMillan was present, and by invitation, 
delivered the charges to the pastor and people. He 
was released from the pastoral charge of Plaingrove, 
October 7, 1816. During his pastorate, there were 
cases of the " falling exercise." 

The next pastor was Rev. John Munson (28). He 
was ordained and installed as pastor, February 28, 



CHURCHES. 427 

1818. He was released February 5, 1818. The pres- 
ent pastor, Rev. Robert B. Walker, D. D., was ordained 
and installed April 2, 1839. The church had at that 
time a membership of one hundred and seventy-six. 
This church has been blessed with many revivals. It 
is now under the care of the Presbytery of Alleghany. 

CENTER. 

This church has much the same history as Plain- 
grove. First pastor, Rev. Wm. Wood ; installed, Novem- 
ber 3, 1802 ; released from his charge, August 24, 1808. 

The second pastor was Rev. John Munson, ordained 
and installed February 25, 1818; released, June 28, 
1859, after a pastorate of forty-one years. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. W. W. McKinney, who was installed in 
1861 ; pastoral relation dissolved in June, 1865. The 
present pastor is Rev. S. A. Hughes, installed on Tues- 
day preceding the first Sabbath of November, 1866. It 
is also under the care of the Presbytery of Alleghany. 

UPPER GREENFIELD, afterwards MIDDLEBRO OK. 

This was one of the earliest churches organized in 
Erie County, Pa., and had the first church edifice 
erected in the county. 1 It was organized in the year 
1801, by Elisha Macurdy and Joseph Stockton. The 
first pastor was Rev. Robert Patterson (13). He was 
ordained and installed pastor, in connection with Lower 
Greenfield, or North East, by the Presbytery of Erie, 
on the 1st September, 1803. The pastoral relation was 
dissolved April 22, 1807. The next year it appears on 
the minutes as Middlebrook. 

1 Miss SanforcTs History, 171. 



428 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

For the next twenty years, this congregation appears 
to have been dependent on supplies sent by the Pres- 
bytery. The next pastor was Rev. Absalom McCready 
(36), who was ordained and installed on the 14th of 
September, 1826, serving this church in connection 
with Union and Beaverdam. He was released from the 
charge of Middlebrook, September 11, 1833. 

In the mean time, the village of Wattsburg had 
sprung up in the neighborhood, and in the year 1833 a 
church was organized there from the membership of 
Middlebrook, and from that time it began to decline. 
From 1846 to 1848, Rev. Pierce Chamberlain (38) 
frequently preached there ; but it continued to decline, 
until April 30, 1859, when a committee of Presbytery 
of the other branch dissolved the church and attached 
its members to Wattsburg. It was the second church 
organized in Erie County, and the first to erect a church 
edifice. An account of this edifice is given in another 
place. It was standing a few years ago, but in the last 
stages of dilapidation. The church organization and 
the old building decayed together, and soon the very 
place where the people worshipped God for sixty years, 
will have been forgotten. Thus the rushing hosts of 
the present trample over the sacred memorials of the 
past. 

HILANDS. 

This church, in the neighborhood of Pittsburgh, 
once owed allegiance to the Presbytery of Erie. At 
the beginning of the present century, Rev. John An- 
drews, editor of the " Pittsburgh Recorder," and Rev. 
N. R. Snowden, preached there. It was probably or- 
ganized in 1800. Rev. Robert Patterson (13) acted as 
stated supply from 1807 to 1833. The first regular 



CHURCHES. 429 

pastor was Rev. Joseph Reed, who was installed in 
1834; released in 1839. In 1840, Rev. J. Watson 
Johnston was installed as pastor ; released in 1849. 
Rev. James R. Smith was installed as pastor in October, 
1851 ; released in 1854. The present pastor, Rev. M. 
L. Wortman, was ordained and installed as pastor in 
January, 1859, in connection with the church of Long 
Island. At the present time, the whole of Mr. Wort- 
man's time is given to the Hilands church. The name 
is derived from Robert Hilands, one of the prominent 
elders of the church, now gone to rest. It is now under 
the care of the Presbytery of Alleghany City. 

LOWER GREENFIELD, now NORTH EAST. 

This congregation is on the Lake Shore, in Erie 
County, Pa. It was organized by Elisha Macurdy and 
Joseph Stockton, in 1801. The church was organized 
in the woods, and this continued to be the place of wor- 
ship for some time. The first pastor was Robert Pat- 
terson (13), ordained and installed by the Presbytery 
of Erie, September 1, 1803, for one third of his time ; 
released from his pastoral charge, April 22, 1807. 
There was a long period succeeding this without a pas- 
tor. Rev. John McPherrin (16) supplied them for six 
months in 1812. Then Rev. Johnston Eaton (20) sup- 
plied them one fourth of his time in 1815-16. In 1818, 
Rev. Phineas Camp (29) supplied for a time; then 
Judah Ely, a licentiate, for a time. 

The next pastor was Rev. Giles Doolittle (33). He 
was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Erie, 
April 14, 1825 ; released from his charge September 14, 
1832. The next pastor was Rev. W.A.Adair (46). He 
was ordained November 7, 1863 ; released from his 



430 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

charge in 1837. The next pastor was Rev. Nathaniel 
West (47). His pastorate extended from June, 1838, to 
July 17, 1841. Rev. Miles Doolittle served from 1842 to 
1844. Then Rev. Samuel Montgomery in 1844; then 
Rev. Mr. Paine in 1848 ; then Rev. Mr. Cochran in 1850 ; 
then Rev. D. D. Gregory in 1852 ; then Rev. A. EL Car- 
rier in 1859. Mr. Carrier was succeeded by the present 
pastor, Rev. T. B. Hudson. At the division of the church 
in 1838, this church adhered to " the other branch." 

SCRUBGRASS. 

This church is in Venango County, Pa., and at pres- 
ent under the care of the Presbytery of Alleghany. It 
was organized in 1802 or 1803. The first elders were 
John Lowrie, father of Hon. Walter Lowrie, senior Sec- 
retary of the* Board of Foreign Missions, John Craw- 
ford, and another, whose name is illegible on the manu- 
script. The first pastor was Rev. Robert Johnston (14). 
He was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of 
Erie, October 19, 1803. His charge was Scrubgrass 
and Bear Creek. 1 This was a most successful pastor- 
ate. A wonderful work of Divine grace attended Mr, 
Johnston's labors. He was released from his pastoral 
charge January 2, 1811. 

Mr. Johnston was succeeded by Rev. Cyrus Riggs 
(18), who was installed April 6, 1814 ; released from 
his pastoral charge April 2, 1834. 

The next pastor was Rev. John R. Agnew. He was 
installed April 3, 1838; pastoral relation dissolved 
October 21, 1845. The next pastor was Rev. Ebenezer 
Henry. He was ordained and installed November 10, 

1 Bear Creek many years ago became connected with the Associate 
Reformed Church. 



CHURCHES. 431 

1847 ; relation dissolved, November 5, 1856. The pres- 
ent pastor is Rev. J. R. Coulter, who was ordained and 
installed August 25, 1857. This church has been un- 
der the care of the Presbytery of Alleghany since the 
year 1820. It has furnished ten ministers of the gos- 
pel : 1 namely, John Redick (26), John Coulter, Cyrus 
C. Riggs, D. D. (son of one of its pastors), Thomas W. 
Kerr, Thomas S. Leason, William B. Stewart, Samuel 
Mc Anderson, D. D., Samuel ^Yilliams, Thomas C. An- 
derson, and M. L. Anderson. Another member of the 
church, James F. Craig, died whilst a theological student. 
The first church edifice was of logs, afterwards en- 
larged bv cutting out one side and adding a shed. 
Afterwards a frame building was erected, and at a late 
date the present edifice, which is of stone. 

SLIPPERY ROCK. 

This congregation is in Beaver Countv, and was 
probably organized in 1801 or 1802. In the records of 
Presbytery in 1802, it is reported as able to support a 
pastor, in connection with New Castle. 

The first pastor was Rev. Alexander Cook (12). He 
was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Erie, 
June 22, 1803. This relation was dissolved June 14, 
1809. The next pastor was Rev. Robert Sample, or- 
dained and installed October 23, 1810 ; released, 1834. 
The next pastor was Rev. B. C. Critchlow, ordained and 
installed September 5, 1838 ; released from his charge, 
February 18, 1845. Rev. James S. Henderson, or- 
dained and installed October 22, 1845 ; released, Octo- 
ber 1, 1850. Rev. A. S. Biblingsley, installed second 

1 Dr. Young states that twenty ministers have been licensed, who 
were brought up in this church. 



432 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Tuesday of January, 1854 ; released, December 24, 
1856 ; Rev. Henry Webber (83), installed June 10, 
1862 ; released, January 11, 1865. The present pastor, 
Rev. R. S. Morton (80), was installed February 21, 
1862. It is now under the care of the Presbytery of 
Beaver. 

LOWER NESHANNQCK, now NEW CASTLE. 

This congregation is in Lawrence County, Pa. It 
was organized about the same time as Slippery Rock ? 
and with it constituted a pastoral charge for nearly 
forty years. Rev. Alexander Cook was the first pastor, 
ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Erie, June 
22, 1803 ; released from his charge, June 14, 1809. 
The second pastor was Rev. Robert Sample, ordained 
and installed October 23, 1810 ; released from his 
charge, 1837. The next pastor was Rev. Wells Bush- 
nell, installed 1839 ; pastoral relation dissolved, June 
29, 1853. The next pastor was Rev. E. E. Swift, in- 
stalled, September 27, 1854 ; pastoral relation dissolved, 
February 19, 1861. The next pastor was Rev. Joseph 
S. Grimes, installed July 9, 1861 ; released from his 
charge, September 27, 1865. The present pastor, Rev. 
D. X. Junkin, D. D., was installed September 13, 1866. 

The ground on which New Castle now stands was 
originally occupied by John Wilson, Joseph, Isaac, and 
John Thompson, and J. C. Stewart. This was about 
the year 1800. The town was laid out in 1802, by John 
Carlisle Stewart. The church was organized either 
that year or the following, as the first pastor was in- 
stalled in 1803. The congregation at first worshipped 
in the woods, around a tent that stood in the northwest 
corner of the present town-plot, but then outside the 



CHURCHES. 433 

• 

original plot. They afterwards built a small log-house 
near to the tent, but in a thicket through which paths 
had to be mown, in the midst of the thick bushes. This 
cabin was burned down, when a hewed log-house was 
erected near the old site. This was occupied until a 
brick house was built, that is now occupied as a brew- 
ery. Finally, the present comfortable structure was 
erected. The church is now under the care of the 
Presbytery of Beaver. 

CONCORD (Butler County, Pa.). 

This church was organized somewhere between 1803 
and 1805. The first pastor was Rev. John McPher- 
rin (16). He continued his pastorate until his death, 
February 10, 1822. The next pastor was Rev. John 
Coulter, ordained and installed by the Presbytery of 
Alleghany, September 10, 1823, in connection with 
Butler and Muddy Creek. He was released from his 
charge in the spring of 1864, after a pastorate of nearly 
forty-one years. The present pastor, Rev. J. H. Mar- 
shall, was installed in October, 1865. 

The congregation worshipped first in a small log- 
house, with earthen floor and split log seats, with an 
old-fashioned wood fire. The second church edifice was 
also of logs, and was thirty feet square. It was after- 
wards enlarged by the addition of thirty feet to its 
length. In 1838, the present brick structure was 
erected. During Mr. Coulter's ministry, many seasons 
of refreshing were enjoyed. The most remarkable of 
these was in the winter of 1857 and 1858, when sixty 
were added to the church. It is under the care of the 
Presbytery of Alleghany. 
28 



434 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 



MUDDY CREEK. 

This church is also in Butler County, Pa., in the 
Presbytery of Alleghany. In 1803, Muddy Creek is 
reported to Synod by the Presbytery of Erie, as able to 
support a pastor in connection with Concord. In 1806, 
Mr. McPherrin is reported as pastor of Concord, Mud- 
dy Creek, and Harmony. 1 At the organization of the 
church of Butler in 1813, Muddy Creek became dis- 
banded. The church was reorganized in 1823, when 
Rev. John Coulter became pastor. He was released 
from his charge in 1850. In 1853, Rev. Alexander 
Cunningham (65) became pastor; released from his 
charge, August, 1855. The present pastor is Rev. 
Samuel Williams, ordained and installed by the Pres- 
bytery of Alleghany in 1857. 

During the first two years of Mr. Coulter's ministry, 
the people worshipped in the woods in summer, and in 
the dwellings in winter. During that whole period, the 
congregation were not once interrupted at divine ser- 
vice by rain or storm. But the first Sabbath they en- 
tered the new log church, there was a rain-storm. 

BUTLER. 

This church was organized in 1813. Several con- 
gregations mentioned in the minutes of the Presbytery 
of Erie, were component parts of the organization. 
Thorn's Tent, Salt Spring, and Harmony, with portions 
of Muddy Creek, were merged into one, and constituted 
the present flourishing church of Butler. The first 
castor was Rev. John McPherrin (16). He was in- 

1 Merged in Butler in 1813. 



CHURCHES. 435 

stalled April 7, 1813, and continued his pastoral relation 
until his death, February 10, 1822. 

The present pastor, Rev. Loyal Young, D. D., was 
ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Alleghany, 1 
December 4, 1833. In 1815 a stone edifice was erected 
as a house of worship, which in 1833 gave place to a 
commodious one of brick ; this again gave place to the 
present fine structure in 1865. This church has en- 
joyed many precious revival scenes ; the most important 
of which have been in 1836, 1843, and 1853. It has 
also furnished many ministers of the gospel, who are 
laboring in the great field, and some who now rest 
from their labors. It is in the Presbytery of Alleghany. 

FAIRVIEW, now WESTMINSTER. 

This church was gathered and organized by Rev. 
Johnston Eaton (20), who was its first pastor. It is 
somewhat uncertain as to the precise date of its organ- 
ization, perhaps 1806. The first elders were Andrew 
Caughey, George Reed, and William Arbuckle. At its 
organization, it consisted of but twenty-five members ; 
all, with two exceptions, have now passed away. Mr. 
Eaton was ordained and installed pastor of this church 
by the Presbytery of Erie, in connection with Spring- 
field, on the 30th of June, 1808. He continued its 
pastor until the time of his death, June 17, 1847, a 
period of nearly forty years. 

The second pastor was Rev. William Willson (81), 
who was ordained and installed June 11, 1851, in con- 
nection with Sturgeonville and Girard. He was re- 
leased from his charge, May 2, 1855. The next pastor 
was Rev. John R. Hamilton (93), ordained and installed 
June 15, 1859 ; released, June 15, 1864. The next pas- 

i Erected 1820. 



436 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

tor was Rev. L. M. Belden (109), ordained and installed 
December 14, 1864; released, April 25, 1866. 

In the year 1847, this church sent off a colony to 
form the church of Sturgeonville, that reduced its num- 
bers considerably. Soon after, the church edifice was re- 
moved to' a more central locality. Its name was after- 
wards changed to Westminster, inasmuch as it was now 
removed from Fairview Township, where it had been 
originally located. 

The first church edifice was of hewn logs, on a beau- 
tiful site, overlooking Lake Erie. This was afterwards 
enlarged by cutting out two or three logs, and building 
an open shed against the side. The next edifice was of 
frame, on a new site. This was afterwards removed, to 
the position it now occupies, 

About the time of the organization of the church of 
Sturgeonville, the church of Fairview (New School), 
was organized,' mainly from the elements of the old 
Fairview church. This church is now under the pas- 
toral care of Rev. A. Dunn. The influence of this 
old Fairview church, and its first pastor, in moulding 
and forming the character of the community along the 
Lake Shore, cannot be fully appreciated. It has been 
the mother of churches. 



SPRINGFIELD. 

This church is in Erie County, Pa., on the shore of 
Lake Erie, and is at the present time in connection with 
" the other branch." It was organized as a preaching 
point, in the year 1804, by Rev. Robert Patterson (13), 
and regularly organized as a church in 1806, by Rev. 
Johnston Eaton (20). The first elders were Isaac Mil- 
ler, James Blair, and James Bruce. There were at 



CHURCHES. 437 

this time thirty members. The first pastor was Rev. 
Johnston Eaton, ordained and installed by the Presby- 
tery of Erie, June 30, 1808 ; pastoral relation dissolved 
November 8, 1814 In 1817, Rev. Phineas Camp (29), 
conducted a series of meetings, that were accompanied 
by the bodily exercise. In 1818, Rev. Michael Law 
preached for a time. The house of worship being but 
about twenty or twenty-five feet square, and unable to 
contain the people, Mr. Law preached in the grove, 
having for a pulpit a single slab knocked in between 
two trees endwise. At this time Cornelius Aten, Rob- 
ert Porter, and Allen Law were elected elders. 

From this time until 1827, the church was depend- 
ent on supplies. In this latter year a call was made 
out for the pastoral labors of Rev. Pierce Chamberlain 
(38). This call was accepted, and he was installed as 
pastor by the Presbytery of Erie, on the 16th of Janu- 
ary, 1828. This relation was dissolved on the 1st of 
October of the same year, on account of the ill health 
of the pastor. 

In the year 1837, Rev. Charles Danforth (53), 
preached as a stated supply. From 1841 to 1843, Rev. 
Richard Craighead labored in this field. From 1844 
to 1850, Rev. John M. Williams ; in 1854, Rev. James 
F. Reed; in 1860, Rev. O. W. Norton; afterwards 
Rev. J. D. Barstow ; and at the present time, Rev. E. 
B. Ghamberlain. 

WARREN, OHIO. 

This church was organized on the 19th of November, 
1803, under the name of " The Church of Christ in 
Warren," by Rev. Joseph Badger (11), assisted by Mr. 
Tait (3), and Mr. Wick (2). It was at the first com- 



438 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

posed of but six members. Rev. Thomas Bobbins and 
Rev. Jonathan Leslie supplied the church for the first 
five years. 

The first pastor was Rev. James Boyd (21). He was 
ordained and installed as pastor of Warren and New- 
ton, October 19, 1808, by the Presbytery of Erie. He 
was removed by death on the 8th of March, 1813. 

Rev. James Duncan then supplied the church for two 
years. The next pastor was Rev. Joseph W. Curtis ; 
installed February 4, 1820, by the Presbytery of Grand 
River; released from his charge in June, 1831. Rev. 
G. W. Hulin and Rev. J. A. Woodruff were stated sup- 
plies for a time. The next pastor was Rev. Nathan B. 
Purinton, installed May, 1840, by the Presbytery of 
Trumbull; released, April 12, 1848. The next pastor 
was Rev. William C. Clark, installed November 15, 
1848, by the Presbytery of Trumbull ; released, April 
22, 1863. The next pastor was Rev. Henry Richard 
Hoisington, installed December 14, 1864 ; released, 
April 16, 1867. 

At the first, this church was congregational. The 
Presbyterian form of government was adopted Febru- 
ary 1, 1838. It is now in connection with the other 
branch, and is in a flourishing condition, having at the 
present time two hundred and forty-one communicants. 
It is under the care of the Presbytery of Trumbull. 

MOORFIELD. 

4 

This church was a portion of Mr. Satterfield's first 
charge. It was situated in Hickory Township, Mercer 
County, about two miles east of Sharon. It was proba- 
bly organized about 1800 or 1801. Mr. Satterfield was 
installed as pastor, March 3, 1802, in connection with 



CHURCHES. 439 

Neshannock. He continued the pastor of Moorfield, 
until he demitted the active duties of the ministry in 
1834. At this time villages and churches had sprung 
up all around Moorfield, — Sharon, Middlesex, and 
Clarksville, — which gradually absorbed its member- 
ship, when it became extinct. It was dissolved soon 
after Mr. Satterfield's resignation. 

BROOKFIELD, OHIO. 

This church is in the "Western Eeserve. Its name 
first appears on the minutes in 1809. Rev. John Core 
was the first pastor, installed in 1817, in connection 
with Youngstown and Vienna. The pastoral relation 
was dissolved October 21, 1824. Eev. James Satter- 
field was pastor from 1812 to 1814. After this it was 
long vacant and dependent on supplies. In 1851 Eev. 
Jacob Coon was pastor. Eev. George S. Eice is now 
pastor elect. 

HUBBARD, OHIO. 

This congregation was first enrolled in 1809. In 
1812 Eev. James Satterfield became pastor in connec- 
tion with Moorfield and Brookfield. This relation con- 
tinued until April 6, 1831. In 1852, Eev. A. 0. Eock- 
well was pastor. Eev. George S. Eice is now pastor 
elect. 

FIRST CHURCH, ERIE, PA. 

Although not the first of the churches planted on 
the shore of^Lake Erie, yet tl^s church has always, 
since its organization, held a prominent place. It is 
first spoken of in the old minutes as Presque Isle, and 
afterwards Erietown. It is mentioned as seeking sup- 
plies in 1802, though it was not regularly organized 



440 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

until September, 1815. In 1803 it united with Middle- 
brook and North East, then called Upper and Lower 
Greenfield, in extending a call to Rev. Robert Patter- 
son (13), although the call was not prosecuted. The 
church was supplied by Rev. Johnston Eaton (20), from 
1814 to 1823 ; the first four years of this period, one 
third of the time was given to Erie, and the remaining 
five years one half. The first pastor was Rev. David 
Mc Kinney (32). He was ordained and installed by the 
Presbytery of Erie, April 13, 1825 ; released April 21, 
1829. The present pastor is Rev. George A. Lyon, 
D. D. He was ordained and installed September 9, 
1829. Next to that of Mr. Eaton, Dr. Lyon's pastorate 
has been the longest in the history of the Presbytery of 
Erie. 

The first regular place of worship was a frame build- 
ing called " the Yellow Meeting-house." In 1824 a 
comfortable brick house was erected, and in June, 1859, 
the corner-stone of the present elaborate and beautiful 
church was laid. 1 One of the most prominent mem- 
bers of the session was Judah Colt. He came to Erie 
in 1795. He made a profession of religion in the days 
of Elisha Macurdy, and was ever afterwards a gener- 
ous, consistent, and useful man. At the great division, 
this church adhered to the other branch. It has sent 
out two colonies : Belle Valley, of which Rev. Joseph 
Vance is pastor, and the Park Church, noticed else- 
where. 

UNITY, now HAKRISVILLE. 

This church is in Butler County, and now under the 
care of the Presbytery of Alleghany. The organiza- 
tion took place in 1807. It first appears on the min- 

1 Miss Sanford's History. 



CHURCHES. 441 

utes in 1808. Sometimes is called TTest Unity. The 
first pastor was Eev. Cyrus Riggs (18). He was in- 
stalled April 6. 1814; released, April 2, 1834. The 
next pastor was Rev. John E. Agnew ; installed April 
% 1838 ; released, October 21, 1845 or 1846. Eev. John 
Moore was pastor from 1847 to 1849. Eev. Meade 
Satterfleld, son of Eev. James Satterfleld (5), one of 
the original members of Presbytery, was pastor from 
1850 to the time of his death, a period of six years. 
He was succeeded by Eev. J. F. Boyd, who was in- 
stalled in 1856 ; released, June 26, 1866. The present 
pastor is Eev. TV. D. Patton, who was installed in 1866. 

NEWTON. 

This church is in Ohio, and was a portion of the 
original charge of Eev. James Boyd (21). in connection 
with Warren, Ohio. Mr. Boyd was ordained and in- 
stalled by the Presbytery of Erie, October 19, 1808. 
He was released by death, March 8, 1813. It was then 
vacant, until Eev. Joshua Beer, a former licentiate of the 
Presbytery of Erie, was installed, June 24, 1818 ; re- 
leased. January, 1822. After this it was Ion or vacant. 
Eev. William O. Stratton was pastor from 1844 to 1855. 
Eev. John B. Miller from 1857 to 1858. The present 
pastor, Eev. T. P. Speer, was installed in 1860. It is 
now under the care of the Presbytery of New Lisbon. 

NEW EEHOBOTH AND LICKING. 

These congregations are in Clarion Countv, Pa. 
Thev were gathered and organized bv Eev. Robert Mc- 
Garraugh (23), about the year 1806 or 1807. Mr. 
McGarraugh was installed as their pastor by the Pres- 
bytery of Redstone, November 12, 1807. On the 4th 



442 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

of October, 1811, they were detached from the Presby- 
tery of Redstone by Synod, and connected with the 
Presbytery of Erie. At the organization of the Pres- 
bytery of Alleghany in 1820, they fell within its terri- 
tory ; and at the organization of the Presbytery of 
Clarion, in 1841, they became connected with that body. 
On the 3d of April, 1822, Mr. McGarraugh was re- 
leased from the charge of these churches. The next 
pastor was Rev. John Core, installed September 16, 

1824. He was released from the pastoral charge of the 
church of New Rehoboth in 1844, and from that of 
Licking by death, May 7, 1854. 

The present pastor of the church of New Rehoboth 
is Rev. James Montgomery, who commenced his pastor- 
ate in 1844. The present pastor of the church of 
Licking is Rev. Joseph Mateer, installed 1855. 

BIG SUGAR CREEK. 

This church is in Venango County, Pa., and was or- 
ganized in 1813 or 1814. The first pastor was Rev. 
Ira Condit (24), ordained November 8, 1814, by the 
Presbytery of Erie, in connection with Fairfield ; re- 
leased from the charge of the former, December 28, 

1825. The next pastor was Rev. Thomas Anderson 
(37). He was ordained and installed by the Presbytery 
of Erie, September 19, 1826, in connection with Con- 
cord and Franklin ; released from the pastoral charge 
of the former in 1837. The next pastor'was Rev. Cy- 
rus Dickson (58). He was ordained and installed by 
the Presbytery of Erie, June 24, 1840, in connection 
with Franklin; released from the former, January 1, 
1846. The next pastor was Rev. James Coulter (62), 
installed September, 1848; released, January 16,1850. 



CHURCHES. 443 

The next pastor was Rev. Robert Glenn (44), installed 
June 18, 1850 ; released by death, September 6, 1857. 
The next pastor was Rev. J. D. Howey (94), ordained 
and installed September 21, 1859 ; released, April 26, 
1865. The congregation, since that time, has been de- 
pendent on supplies. It is now supplied by Rev. D. 
Patton. 

WATERFORD. 

This church is in Erie County, and at present in 
connection with the other branch. It was probably or- 
ganized about the year 1809 or 1810. The first pastor 
was Rev. John Matthews (22). He was ordained and 
installed in connection with Gravel Run, October 17, 
1810; released from Waterford April 2, 1817. From 
this date until 1828, the church was dependent on sup- 
plies. Rev. Phineas Camp (29), and Mr. Judah Ely, 
preached for a time. Rev. Peter Hassinger (39) was 
stated supply from 1828 to 1833. Rev. B. J. Wallace 
supplied in 1833, and the next year Rev. J. Watson 
Johnston. On the 15th of September, 1836, Rev. 
Pierce Chamberlain (38) was installed as pastor, in 
connection with Union. He was released from the 
charge of Waterford in 1844. Rev. G. W. Cleveland 
supplied until 1849. The 'church was subsequently 
supplied by Rev. C. F. Diver, and perhaps others. The 
present pastor is Rev. T. T. Bradford. The congrega- 
tion had no regular place of worship until 1835, when 
the present house was erected. The church is now in a 
prosperous condition. 

GRAVEL RUN. 

This church is in Crawford County, and was proba- 
bly organized in 1809 or 1810. The first pastor was 



444 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Rev. John Matthews (22), installed in connection with 
Waterford, October 17, 1810. He was released from 
the charge of Gravel Run, November 8, 1814. The 
next pastor was Rev. Peter Hassinger (39). He was 
ordained and installed, October 1, 1828 ; released from 
his charge in 1832. 

Rev. Alexander Cunningham (65) was ordained and 
installed as pastor, October 5, 1843 ; released from his 
charge in 1851. The present pastor is Rev. James W. 
Dickey (64), installed April 19, 1854. 

At the division in 1838, this church was divided, a 
portion adhering to each branch. The New School 
branch is called also Gravel Run ; Rev. G. W. Hamp- 
son is the pastor. 

WASHINGTON. 

This church is in Edinboro', Erie County. For the 
last quarter of a century its history has been identified 
with that of Gravel Run, having been united in the 
same pastoral charge. Mr. Cunningham was installed 
pastor, October 5, 1853 ; released from his charge in 
1851. Mr. Dickey, the present pastor, was installed 
April 19, 1854. This church was also divided in 1838. 
The New School branch is called Edinboro' ; Rev. Wil- 
liam Grassie is the pastor. 

WARREN, PA. 

This is an old congregation, yet the records are dim 
and misty that relate to its history. Its name first ap- 
pears on the minutes in 1810. Probably the first pastor 
was Rev. Nathan Harned (34). He was ordained and 
.installed, April 20, 1825 ; released in March, 1826. The 
next pastor was Rev. Absalom McCready (36) ; installed, 



CHURCHES. 445 

September 13, 1837 ; released, June 27, 1838. For a 
few years from 1841, Rev. Hiram Eddy (60) supplied 
the church. The next pastor was Rev. John M. Smith 
(67), installed January 28, 1846 ; released, August 11, 
1847. The next pastor was Rev. John Sailor (79), in- 
stalled May 4, 1853 ; released,. August 29, 1855. After 
this Mr. Hequembourg supplied for a time. The next 
pastor was Rev. Robert Taylor (102) ; ordained and 
installed November 13, 1861 ; released, September 26, 
1862. The next pastor was Rev. W. T. Hamilton, D. D. 
(105) ; installed in May, 1864; released, April 26, 1865. 
The present stated supply is Rev. William Rankin. 
This congregation has recently completed a fine church 
edifice. 

OIL CREEK, now TITUSVILLE. 

This church was gathered and organized by Rev. 
Amos Chase (25) about the year 1815. Mr. Chase 
supplied it until the 24th day of May, 1826, when he 
was installed as its first pastor for one half of his time. 
The pastoral relation was dissolved in 1 830. The next 
pastor was Rev. G. W. Hampson (43), who was or- 
dained and installed as pastor by the Presbytery of 
Erie, June 27, 1832. He continued his relation for 
some ten years, when the relation was dissolved. Owing 
to peculiar circumstances, the church gradually became 
disorganized, and its individuality lost. A few years 
ago it was reorganized under the name of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Titusvilie, Rev. William Howell 
Taylor, pastor. It is situated in Crawford County, Pa., 
and in connection with the other branch. 



446 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

CENTERVILLE. 

This church is situated about ten miles from Titus- 
ville. It was gathered by Mr. Chase in 1815. He was 
its first, and perhaps only pastor. He was installed in 
1827, and released from his charge in 1830. 

UNION (Erie County, Pa.). 

This church was organized in April, 1811, with eight 
members, and one elder, Matthew Gray. It was long 
dependent on supplies. In 1820, Rev. Amos Chase 
supplied it for one fourth of his time. Previous to this 
or about 1814, Rev. John Matthews (22) supplied it. 
The first pastor was Rev. Absalom McCready (36), who 
was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Erie, 
September 14, 1826. He was released from his charge 
in 1835. In May, 1836, Rev. Pierce Chamberlain (38) 
began to supply, and continued until November, 1840. 
In 1841, Rev. Thomas Anderson (37), was installed 
pastor ; released from his charge in 1843. The church 
has been successively supplied by Rev. G. W. Cleve- 
land, Rev. C. F. Diver, Rev. T. T. Bradford, Rev. G. 
H. Hammer, and Rev. William Grassie. On the 8th 
of February, 1862, Rev. J. F. Reed, D. D., was installed 
as pastor ; released April 10, 1866. Rev. F. V. "War- 
ren is the present stated supply. It is in connection 
with the other branch. 

WESTFIELD, N. Y. 

This church was first organized by Rev. John Lind- 
sey,'in 1808, under the name of " Chatauque." It soon 
lost its organization. On the 7th day of November, 



CHURCHES. 447 

1817, it was reorganized by Rev. Johnston Eaton (20) 
and Rev. Phineas Camp (29). The latter was its first 
pastor, installed September 8, 1819 ; released, Septem- 
ber, 1821. On the 1st of July, 1819, the name was 
changed to Westfield. About the year 1824, the church 
was transferred to Buffalo Presbytery. The next pas- 
tor was Rev. Isaac Oakes. In 1835, Rev. D. 0. Greg- 
ory was pastor. From 1840 to 1845 Rev. T. M. Hop- 
kins was pastor. From 1845 to 1854 Rev. Reuben 
Tinker was pastor. Rev. C. F. Muzzy was pastor in 
1855. Rev. J. P. Fisher was pastor from 1863 to 1865. 
The present pastor is Rev. R. S. Van Cleve (113), in- 
stalled in 1867. It is now in connection with the other 
branch. 

FRANKLIN. 

This church was organized July 28, 1817, by Rev. 
Ira Condit. John Broadfoot and James Gill eland were 
chosen as elders. In July, 1821, the church was reor- 
ganized by Rev. Alexander Cook and Rev. Cyrus Riggs. 
It was then taken under the care of the Presbytery of 
Alleghany. At this time it consisted of nine members. 
The next elders were Andrew Bowman and Levi Dodd. 
The first pastor was Rev. Thomas Anderson (37). He 
was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Erie, 
September 19, 1826, about which time the church was 
transferred to the Presbytery of Erie. He was released 
from his charge September 12, 1837. 

The next pastor was Rev. Cyrus Dickson ; ordained 
and installed by the Presbytery of Erie, June 24, 1840, 
released from his charge, March, 1848. The present 
pastor, Rev. S. J. M. Eaton (76), was ordained and in- 
stalled February 7, 1849. Some precious revivals have 



448 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

characterized the history of this church. Tn the winter 
of 1867, one hundred and eleven were added to it. 

The first house of worship was erected in 1830. The 
corner-stone of the present edifice was laid July 9, 

1867. 

CONCORD (Venango County, Pa.). 

The name of this church first appears on the min- 
utes of Presbytery in 1826, when it became a part of 
the charge of Rev. Thomas Anderson. He was in- 
stalled as its pastor, September 19 of that year. Pie 
was released from the pastoral charge of this congrega- 
tion on the 13th of April, 1831. The next pastor was 
Rev. G. W. Hampson (43). He was ordained and in- 
stalled as pastor by the Presbytery of Erie, June 27, 
1832 ; released in 1837. The next pastor was Rev. 
James Coulter (62). He was ordained and installed by 
the Presbytery of Erie as pastor, in connection with 
Deerfield, September 14, 1842 ; released about the year 
1846. The next pastor was Rev. M. A. Parkinson (78), 
ordained and installed September 11, 1850 ; released, 
October 20, 1854. The next pastor was Rev. W. J. 
Alexander (89). He was ordained and installed De- 
cember 19, 1855 ; released, January 7, 1857. From 
1860 to 1863, the church was supplied by Rev. J. H. 
Sargent (101). It was afterward supplied by Rev. H. 
Newell (97), and Rev. Jolfn McKean, and at present 
by Rev. J. J. Smyth (115). 

TIDIOUTE (formerly Deerfield). 

This church is in Warren County, Pa. It was an- 
ciently known as Tidioute ; the name was afterwards 
changed to Deerfield. It was received under the care 



CHURCHES. 449 

of Presbytery as a regularly organized church in 1827. 
Its first pastor was probably Rev. James Coulter, in- 
stalled September 14, 1842 ; released about 1846. The 
next was Rev. M. A. Parkinson, installed September 
11, 1850 ; released, October 20, 1854. The next, Rev. 
W. J. Alexander, installed December 19, 1855 ; re- 
leased, January 7, 1857. The church was afterwards 
supplied by Mr. Sargent, Mr. Newell, and Mr. Mc- 
Kean. Having fallen into dilapidation, it was reor- 
ganized in 1867, under the name of Tidioute. 

HARBOR CREEK. 

This church is in Erie County, Pa., and was a colony 
from the church of North East. It was organized on 
the 26th of May, 1832, with fifty-eight members. The 
first elders were Myron Bacchus, Samuel Kingsbury, 
and J. M. Moorhead. It was supplied for one year by 
Rev. Giles Doolittle (33), pastor of North East. The- 
first pastor was Rev. William A. Adair (46), ordained 
and installed November 7, 1833, in connection with 
North East. The pastoral relation was dissolved Octo- 
ber 9, 1834. After this Rev. Simeon Peck (48) sup- 
plied for one year. The next pastor was Rev. Reuben 
Lewis (51), ordained and installed November 1, 1837 ; 
released, June 28, 1838. At this time the great division 
took place, when this church v was divided. The old 
school branch was supplied by Mr. J. H. Townley, and 
on the 11th day of August, 1847, Rev. J. K. Cornyn 
(70) Y/as installed as pastor. He was released April 
4, 1850. On the 4th day of June, 1866, the two divis- 
ions of the church were merged in one, under the care 
of the other branch. 

In the mean time, of the other branch, Rev. N. 
29 



450 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

West was pastor from 1838 to 1842. The church was 
next supplied by Rev. Miles Doolittle, and Rev. M. T. 
Smith, until 1848. The present pastor is Rev. G. W- 
Cleveland. He was installed September, 1852. The 
church edifice was erected in 1836. 



GIRARD. 

This church was a colony from Springfield. It is in 
Erie County, Pa., and was organized May 16, 1835. 
The first elders were Robert Porter and Philip Bristol. 
At the first, Rev. Edson Hart (42), who was preaching 
at Springfield, supplied them. The first pastor was 
Rev. R. S. Lockwood (52), ordained and installed Jan- 
uary 11, 1837 ; released in 1841. Afterwards Rev. 
William Fuller (52), and Rev. Mr. Root, supplied. The 
next pastor was Rev. Joseph Vance, installed in 1846 ; 
released in 1854. From this date to 1863, Rev. Alex- 
ander Porter was stated supply. In September, 1864, 
Rev. H. 0. Howland was installed as pastor ; released, 
1866. Rev. Ira M. Condit (95) is at present stated 
supply. It is in connection with the other branch. 

SANDY LAKE. 

This church is in Mercer County, Pa., and was 
organized October 3, 1835, with thirteen members. 
The first elders were Alexander Brown, Homer Bailey, 
and Eli Butler. Rev. Robert Glenn labored in this 
church as stated supply for one third of his time, for 
eleven years. Rev. J. W. McCune was installed pastor, 
June 23, 1852 ; released, February 7, 1855. Rev. John 
G. Condit (100) was pastor nearly two years. Rev. 
John Rice (110) is the present stated supply.- 



CHURCHES. 451 

The present church edifice was erected in 1846, and 
greatly improved in 1867. 

HARMONSBURG. 

This church is in Crawford County, Pa., and was 
organized in 1829. It was dependent on supplies for 
many years. In the year 1832, Rev. Peter Hassinger 
(39) supplied it. On the 4th day of October, 1843, 
Rev. J. W. Dickey (64) was ordained and installed as 
its pastor ; released in 1847. After this Rev. L. P. 
Bates (72) supplied for a time. On the 14th of Sep- 
tember, 1852, Rev. James Coulter was installed as pas- 
tor ; released, 1857 or 1858. Rev. George Scott was 
installed June 27, 1860 ; released, June 10, 1862. The 
present pastor is Rev. N. S. Lowrie (103), who was or- 
dained and installed October 22, 1862. 

CONNEAUTVILLE. 

This church is in Crawford County, Pa. It was or- 
ganized, October 31, 1835, by Rev. P. Hassinger. One 
elder, John Craven, was elected. It was supplied by 
Rev. R. Lewis, Rev. D. "Waggoner, and others. The 
first pastor was Rev. J. W. Dickey (64), ordained and 
installed, October 4, 1843, in connection with Harmons- 
burg and Evansburg. He was released in 1847. Rev. 
L. P. Bates (72) supplied for a time in 1847. Rev. 
James Coulter supplied the church for a time in 1853. 
Rev. George W. Zahniser (84) was ordained and in- 
stalled as pastor September 7, 1853 ; released, April 
13, 1859. The present pastor, Rev. N. S. Lowrie (103) 
was ordained and installed, October 22, 1862. This 
church was for eleven years divided into two branches, 
but became united in 1865. 



452 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 



EVANSBURG. 

This church was formerly known as Conneaut, or the 
Outlet of Conneaut. In 1811 to 1817, it constituted a 
part of the charge of Rev. Robert Johnston, in connec- 
tion with Meadville and Little Sugar Creek. It was 
probably dependent on supplies from that time to 
April 14, 1841, when Rev. Edward S. Blake (59) was 
ordained and installed as pastor, in connection with 
Gravel Run. His pastorate continued for one year. 
On the 4th of October, 1843, Rev. J. W. Dickey was 
installed as pastor ; released in 1847. In September, 
1852, Rev. James Coulter was installed as pastor; re- 
leased in 1857 or 1858. Rev. George Scott (98) was 
ordained and installed as pastor, June 27, 1860 ; re- 
leased, June 10, 1862. 

CHERRY TREE. 

This church is in Venango County, Pa., and was or- 
ganized, February 1, 1837, with thirteen members. 
The first elders were John Irwin and John Rynd. The 
first pastor was Rev. G. W. Hampson (43) e At the 
division, this church went with the other branch. The 
present stated supply is Rev. W. C. Birchard. 

GREENVILLE. 

This church is in Mercer County, and was probably 
formed from elements drawn from the church of Salem. 
It was organized in 1825. The first pastor was Rev. 
James Alexander (40), who was ordained and installed 
October 13, 1828 ; released, June 25, 1834. The next 
pastor was Rev. J. G. Wilson (49), ordained and in- 
stalled, October 12, 1836; released, 1841. The next 



CHURCHES. 453 

pastor was Rev. Henry Webber (63), ordained and in- 
stalled January 20, 1843 ; released, October 16, 1844. 
In 1847 and 1848, the church was supplied by Rev. L. 
W. Williams (71). The next pastor was Rev. J. H. 
Callen (75), ordained and installed October 25, 1848 ; 
released, June 23, 1852. The next pastor was Rev. 
David Grier (83) ; installed, January 18, 1854; released, 
April 13, 1859. The next pastor was Rev. A. C. Jun- 
kin, installed June 10, 1862 ; released, May 8, 1867. 

BIG BEND. 

This congregation was organized in 1825, and was 

for a time associated with Greenville. In the course 

of events, it has become disorganized. Its name was 
removed from the roll in 1842. 

STURGEONVILLE. 

This church was a colony from the old church of 
Fairview, Erie County, Pa. It was organized in 1845. 
It was first supplied by Mr. Kean, a licentiate of the 
Presbytery of Blairsville. The first pastor was Rev. 
J. K. Cornyn (70), ordained and installed August 11, 
1847 ; released, June 19, 1850. The next pastor was 
Rev. William Wilson (18), ordained and installed June 
11, 1851 ; released, May 2, 1855. The next pastor was 
Rev. J. R. Hamilton (93), ordained and installed June 
15, 1859 ; released, June 15, 1864. The present pas- 
tor is Rev. L. M. Belden (109), who was ordained and 
installed December 14, 1864. 

WATERLOO. 

This church is in Venango County, Pa., and was 
organized, March 5, 1854, from the membership of 



454 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Franklin and Mill Creek. It has depended chiefly on 
supplies. Mr. Coulter, Mr. Condit, and Mr. Newell 
have supplied it. The church edifice was erected by 
James Gilleland, one of the first elders, at his individual 
expense. 

SUGAR GROVE. 

This is an old church in Warren County, Pa. From 
the peculiar circumstances of its position, it has been 
mainly dependent on supplies. 

IRVINE. 

This church is also in Warren County, and has not 
always enjoyed the labors of a pastor. It was organized 
in 1844. 

MOUNT PLEASANT. 

This church is in Venango County, Pa., and was 
organized in 1842. Its first pastor was Rev. S. J. M. 
Eaton (76), installed February 7, 1849, for one third 
of his time ; released August 29, 1855. It has since 
been supplied by Rev. James Coulter, Rev. J. G. Con- 
di t, and Rev. John McKean. 

PARK CHURCH, ERIE, PA. 

This church was organized, June 28, 1855. The 
first pastor was Rev. William M. Blackburn (91), in- 
stalled May 25, 1857 ; released, December 22, 1863. 
The present pastor, Rev. George F. Cain (107), was 
installed May 11, 1864. 

MILLEDGEVILLE. 

This church is in Mercer County, and was organized 
in 1856. It has been mainly dependent on supplies. 



CHURCHES. 455 

Henry B. Lambe (111) was installed as pastor July 11, 
1866 ; released, May 9, 1867. The present supply is 
Mr. Patton. 

OIL CITY, PA. 

This church was organized, December, 1861, with 
twelve members and two ruling elders, Adam Turner 
and C. C. Waldo. Eev. W. P. Moore (106), has been 
stated supply since 1863. 

GREENFIELD. 

This church is in Crawford County, Pa. It was a 
colony from the church of Georgetown, and was organ- 
ized on the 22d of June, 1854, with twenty members. 
The first pastor was Eev. George Scott (98), having 
been previously supplied by Rev. James Coulter. Mr. 
Scott was ordained and installed June 27, 1860 ; re- 
leased, June 10, 1862. The present pastor is Rev. 
David Waggoner, who was installed July 1, 1864. 

VENAKGO. 

This church is in Crawford County, Pa., and was 
organized, by act of Presbytery, October 24, 1866. It 
was a colony from the Gravel Run Church. It takes 
its name from the borough where the church is located. 

COCHRANTOK. 

This church was received from the care of the Pitts- 
burgh Reformed Presbytery, September 26, 1867. It 
was originally a colony from the United Presbyterian 
Church of the same place. This latter church was an- 
ciently under the care of the Presbytery of Erie, under 
the name of " Little Sugar Creek." It was a portion of 



456 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE. 

Mr. Johnston's (14) charge, from 1811 to ^817, and 
passed to the connection of the Associate Reformed 
Church about the year 1819 or 1820. Mr. Patton is 
the present pastor of this church. 

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MERCER, PA. 

This church is a colony from the First Church, Mer- 
cer. It was organized, October 20, 1863, with forty- 
eight members and three ruling elders, Elias Alexan- 
der, Joseph Fleming, and R. M. J. Zahniser. The pas- 
tor, Rev. W. M. Robinson (108), was installed June 
15, 1864. At first the congregation worshipped in the 
Court House, but have recently completed a substantial 
brick edifice. 

MOUNT VERNON, now PLEASANTVILLE. 

This church is in Venango County, and was organ- 
ized June 19, 1860, as a colony from the church of 
Concord. It contained at its organization twelve mem- 
bers. On the 9th of May, 1867, the name was changed 
to Pleasantville. It is at present supplied by Rev. J. J. 
Smyth (115). 

PETROLEUM CENTER. 

This church was gathered by Dr. Marks (112), and 
was organized September 24, 1865, with fourteen mem- 
bers. The first elders were A. D. Cotton and J. M. 
Dickey. It was at first supplied by Dr. Marks. Mr. 
J. T. Oxtoby is pastor elect. 



INDEX 



Ability Question, 125. 

Act of Synod, 28, 139. 

Act and Testimony, 129. 

Adair, W. A., notice of, 375, 128. 

Adventure of Badger, 228. 

Alden, Tiniothv, biography of, 

290, 83, 91, 124. 
Agnew, J. R., 430. 
Alexander, Dr. Archibald, 108. 
Alexander, James, D. D., notice 

of, 373. 
Alexander, Wm. J., notice of, 392, 

155. 
Amity, history of, 414. 
Anderson, T."C, 421. 
Anderson, Thomas, biography of, 

315, 110, 112. 
Anecdote of Patterson, 239. 
" Porter, 86. 

" Rice, 28. 

" Wood, 12. 

West, 333. 
" Wilson, 115. 

Anxious seat, 121. 
Appeal to Synod, 141. 
Badger, Joseph, biography of, 

218, 42, 52. 
Bans of marriage, 75. 
Baptism, question of, 124. 
Barns, worship in, 67. 
Barrett, John, 106. 
Bates, L. P., biography of, 349, 

152. 
Beaver Church, history of, 410. 
Beer, Joshua, 441, 54. 
Behrends, C. A., notice of, 392, 157. 
Belden, L. M., notice of, 400, 163. 
Billingsley, A. S., 431. 

Biography of deceased min- 
isters : — 

Alden, Timothy, 290, 



Anderson, Thomas, 315. 
Badger. Joseph, 218. 
Bates, Lemuel P., 349. 
Boyd, Abraham, 213. 

" Benjamin, 255. 

" James, 269. 

" John, 211. 

" Alexander, 339. 
Bracken, Reid, 261. 
Bushnell, Wells, 311. 
Camp. Phineas, 299. 
Chamberlain, Pierce, 319. 
Chase, Amos, 282. 
Condit, Ira, 277. 
Cook, Alexander, 230. 
Cornyn, John K., 341. 
Crane, N. M. 3 352. 
Danforth, Charles, 334. 
Doolittle, Giles, 303. 
Eaton, Johnston, 265. 
Glenn, Robert, 324. 
Harned, Nathan, 308. 
Hart, Edson, 323. 
Hughes, Thomas E., 177. 
Johnston, Robert, 240. 
Lee, Robert, 195. 
Limber. John, 336. 
Marcy,' Bradford, 302. 
Matthews, John, 271. 
McCullough, William, 356. 
McGarraugh, Robert, 275. 
McXair, John, D. D., 328. 
McPherrin, John, 251. 
Munson, John, 296. 
Patterson, Robert, 233. 
Pittinger, Nicholas, 249. 
Redick, John, 288. 
Riggs, Cyrus, 256. 
Satterfield, James, 199. 
Stockton, Joseph, 191. 
Struve, Charles V., 351. 
Tait, Samuel, 185. 



458 



INDEX. 



Taylor, Robert, 361. 
West, Nathaniel, D. D., 331. 
Wick, William, 182. 
Williams, Lewis W., 343. 
Wood, William, 216. 
Wylie, William, D. D., 203. 

Big Bend, history of, 453. 
Blake, E. S., notice of, 382, 147. 
Blackburn, W. M., notice of, 393, 

157. 
Boardman, C. A., 408. 
Bodily Exercise, 59. 
Bodily Exercise, described, 60. 
Bodily Exercise, Mr. Johnston's 

account of, 62. 
Books sought, 41. 
Boundaries of Presbytery, 56. 
Boundaries, new, 98. 
Bouton, E., 408. 
Boyd, Abraham, biography of, 213. 

" Benjamin, biography of, 
255. 

" James, biography of, 269, 57. 

" John, biography of, 211. 

" Alex., biography of, 339. 

" J. F., 415. 
Bracken, Reid, biography of, 261, 

52 53. 
Bradford, A. B., 407. 
T. T., 443. 
Brookfield, history of, 439. 
Bull Creek, history of, 422. 
Butler, history of, 434. 
Bushnell, Wells, biography of, 

311, 111. 

Cain, George E., notice of, 399, 

162. 
Callen, J. H., notice of, 387. 
Caldwell, S., 422. 
Camp, Phineas, biography of, 

299, 96. 
Candidates, 94. 
Carrier, A. H., 430. 
Catechism, 25. 
Chamberlain, P., biography of, 

319. 
Chaplains, 79, 172. 
Charcoal fire, 74. 
Chase, Amos, biography of, 282, 

81, 118. 
Cherry Tree, history of, 452. 
Cholera, 125. 
Center, history of, 427. 
Centerville, history of, 446. 
Cleveland, G. W., 442. 



Cochranton, history of, 455. 
Cochran, Mr., 430. 
Commissioners, first, 35. 
Commission, Christian, 172. 
Committees, 49. 
Complaint, 136. 
Concord, history of, 433, 
Concord, (Venango Co.) history 

of, 448. 
Conneautville, history of, 451. 
Confession of Faith, 117. 
Condit, Ira, biography of, 277, 80, 

114. 
• Condit, Ira M., notice of, 395, 158. 
Condit, J. G., notice of, 397, 159. 
Colt, Judah, 440, 108. 
Core, John, 408. 
Cornplanter, 92. 

Cornyn, J. K., biography of, 341. 
Cook, Alex., biography of, 230, 

42, 70. 
Cool Spring, history of, 410, 31, 

113. 
Coulter, John, 433. 
Coulter, James, notice of, 383, 148. 

" J. R., 431. 
Country, state of the, 160, 164. 
Craighead, R., 414, 437. 
Crane, N. M., biography of, 352, 

153. 
Critchlow, B. C, 470. 

Danforth, Charles, biography of, 

334, 133. 
Delegates to New School, 163. 
Dickson, William, 54. 

" " his Journal, 74. 

Dickson, Cyrus, D.D., notice of, 

381, 149. 
Dickson, Robert, 416. 
Dickey, D. L., 408. 

" ' J. W., notice of, 384. 
Dilworth, Dr. R., 425. 
" Albert, 407. 
Division of Presbytery, 51, 140. 
Diver, C. F., 442." 
Doolittle, Giles, biography of, 

303, 109, 126. 
Dunn, Ambrose, 436. 

Eaton, Johnston, biography of, 

265, 51, 53, 78. 
Eaton, S. J. M., notice of, 387. 
Eddy, Hiram, notice of, 382, 147. 
Education, 34. 
Elder question, 79. 
Ely, Judah, 106. 



INDEX. 



459 



Enterprise, 3. 

Erie, First Church. 439. 

" Park Church', 454. 

" Presbytery erected. 29. 
Evansburg, history of, 452. 
Excision acts, 135. 
Exegesis, 107. 

Fairfield Church, history of, 417. 
Fairview Church, history of, 435. 
Fairview Church, name changed, 

160. 
Fasting, 91. 
Fencing tables. 24. 
Findley, J. B.. notice of, 393. 
Fire in churches, 72. 
Fisher, J. P., 447. 
Forest worship, 68. 
Franklin Church, history of, 447, 

113. 
Fuller, William, notice of, 379, 

133. 
Fulton, J. P., 409. 

General Assembly rule, 140. 
Georgetown Church, history of, 418. 
Girard Church, historv of, 450. 
Gray, J. H., notice of, 398, 161. 
Gravel Eun Church, history of, 443. 
Greenville Church, history of, 452. 
Greenfield Church, history of, 455. 
Greenfield Upper Church, historv 

of, 437. 
Greenfield Lower Church, historv 

of, 429. 
Glenn. Eobert, biography of, 324, 

126,157. 
Glenn, S. M., 163. 
Glasgow. Ezekiel. 410. 
Grassie. William, 444. 
Gridley, J. J., notice of, 402, 168. 
Grier, David, notice of, 390, 155. 
Grimes, W. M., 432. 
Greersburgh Academy, 34, 52. 

Hall. David. 421. 

Hamilton. TV. T.. D.D., notice of, 

398, 161. 
Hamilton. J. E., notice of, 394, 158. 
Hammer, G.H., 446. 
Hampson, George W., notice of, 

374, 118. 
Harbor Creek Church, historv of. 

449, 124. 
Harmonsburg Church, historv of, 

451, 117. 
Harned, Nathan, biography of, 

308. 



Harrisville, history of, 440. 
Harvest vear, 123. 
Harvison, W'. P., 423. 
Hassinger, P., notice of, 372, 118. 
Hart, Edson, biography of, 323. 
Hearers, 9. 

Hequembourg, C. L., 445. 
Henry, Ebenezer, 430. 
Heydon, Daniel, 54. 
Hilands Church, historv of, 428. 
17. 

Histories of churches : — 
Amity, 414. 
Beaver. 410. 
Beula, '421. 
Brookfield. 439. 
Bull Creek, 422. 
Big Bend, 453. 
Butler, 434. 
Cherrv Tree, 452. 
Center, 427. 
Centreville, 446. 
Cochranton, 455. 
Concord (Butler Co.), 433. 
Concord (Yenango Co.), 448. 
Conneautville, 451. 
Cool Spring, 410. 
Deerfield, 448. 
Erie, First Church, 439. 
Erie, Park Church. 454. 
Evansburg, 452. 
Fairfield, 417. 
Fairview, 435. 
Franklin, 4^7. 
Gravel Eun, 443. 
Georgetown. 418. 
Girard. 450. 
Greenville. 452. 
Greenfield. 455. 
Greenfield. Upper. 427. 
" Lower. 429. 

Harbor Creek, 449. . 
Harmonsburo:. 451. 
Harrisville. 440. 
Hilands, 428. 
Hopewell, 409. 
Hubbard, 439. 
Irvine. 454. • - 

Licking, 441. 
Meadville, 413. 
Mercer. First, 412. 

u Second, 456. 
Middlesex, 423. 
Middlebrook, 427. 
Mill Creek, 419. 
Milledgeville. 454. 
Moorfield, 438. 



460 



INDEX. 



Mt. Pleasant (Beaver Co.), 407. 
Mt. Pleasant (Venango Co.), 

454. 
Mt. Nebo, 423. 
Muddy Creek, 434. 
Neshannock, 416. 
Newton, 441. 
New Castle, 432. 
New Eehoboth, 441. 
New Salem, 407. 
North East, 429. 
Oil Creek, 445. 
Oil City, 455. 
Park Church, Erie, 454. 
Petroleum Center, 456. 
Plain, 423. 
Plaingrove, 426. 
Pymatuning, 421. 
Poland, 424. 
Sandy, Upper, 418. 

" Lower, 419. 
Sandy Lake, 450. 
Salem, 411. 
Scrubgrass, 430. 
Slate Lick, 420. 
Sturgeonville, 453. 
Slippery Rock, 431. 
Springfield, 436. 
Sugar Grove, 454. 
Sugar Creek, 442. 
Tidioute, 448. 
Titusville, 445. 
Trumbull, 421. 
Union, Armstrong Co., 421. 
Union, Erie Co., 446. 
Unity, 440. 
Venango, 455. 
Washington, 444. 
Warren (O.), 437. 

" (Pa.), 444. 
Waterford, 443. 
Waterloo, 453. 
Westfield, (Pa.) 425. 

(N. Y.) 446. 
Westminster, 435. 
Youngstown, 408. 

History of Presbyterv, 50, 110. 

Hoisington, H. R., 438. 

Hopewell Church, history of, 409. 

Houses, 17. 

Howland, H. O., 450. 

Howev, J. D., notice of, 394, 161. 

Hubbard, 439. 

Hudson, T. B., 430. 

Hughes, T. E., biography of, 177, 

30. 
Hughes, S.A., 427., 



Hulin, G. W., 438. 

Indian Missions, 49. 
Irvine, history of, 454. 
Influence of Presbytery, 179. 

Jacks, Miss Eliza, 305. 
Jackson, G. W., 422. 
Johnston, Robert, biography of, 
240, 46, 71. 
" Edward, 54. 

J. W., 407. 
" T. P., 412. 
Jones, Dr. J. H., 108. 
Journal of William Dickson, 37. 
" Robert Patterson, 43. 
Junkin, A. C, notice of, 395, 159. 
" Capt., 80. 
" Dr. George, 80. 
" Dr. D. X., 80, 432. 

Kean, John F., 151. 

" William F., 421. 
Kerr, T. W., 422. 

" Joseph, 424. 

Labors of early ministers, 10, 49. 

Lake shore troubles, 80. 

Lambe, H. B., notice of, 401. 

Law, M., 437. 

Lectures, McMillan's, 10. 

Lee, Robert, biography of, 195, 

33, 51. 
Leake, L. F., 423. 
Letter, Munson's, 5. 
Lewis, R., notice of, 378, 132. 
Licentiates, first, 34. 
Licking Church, history of, 441. 
Limber, John, biography of, 336. 
Lining out, 57. 
Lockwood, R. S., notice of, 378, 

132. 
Longevity of ministers, 170. 
Lowrie family, 71. 

" N. S., notice of, 398, 161. 
Lowary, D. P., 410. 
Lyon, G. A., D. D., notice of, 374. 

Manufactures, 19. 
Mateer, J., 442. 
May, Hezekiah, 414. 
McAboy, L. R., D. D., 424. 
McCullough, W., biography of, 

356, 154. 
McCready, A., notice of, 371, 110. 
McCune, J. W., notice of, 390, 154. 
McGarraugh, R., biography of, 

275, 76. 



INDEX. 



461 



McKinnev, D., D. D., notice of, 

370, 107, 117, 146. 
McKinney, Edmund, notice of, 

oo-j 

McKinney, W. W., 427. 

McLain, fm, 410. 

McNair, John, D. D., biography 

of, 358, 132. 
Marcy, B., biography of, 302. 
Marks, J. J., D. D., notice of, 401, 

167. 
Matthews, John, biography of, 

271, 70, 157. 
Meetings, four days', 120. 
Members, first, 28. 
" early, 7. 

Meadville, history of, 413, 103. 

" Presbytery, 142. 

Mealy, J. M. 3 416. 
Mercer, First Church, history of, 

412. 
Mercer, Second Church, history 

of, 456. 
Merwin, M. T., notice of, 386, 151. 
Mill Creek, history of, 419. 
Milledgeville, history of, 454. 
Middlesex, history of, 423. 
Middlebrook, history of, 427. 
Ministers. See Biography, and 

Notices. 
Ministers, deceased, 170. 
Missionary Society, Western For- 
eign, 127. 
Missionary Society of Connecti- 
cut, 50. 
Mission at Alleghany City, 75. 
Moore, William P., notice of, 399. 
Moorfield, history of, 438. 
Morality, 83. 
Moral societies, 82. 
Montgomery, James, 442. 
Morgans, Morgan D., 126. 
Morton, P. S., notice of, 389, 153. 
Mount Nebo, 423. 
Mount Pleasant, 407, 454. 
Munson, John, biography of, 296. 
Munson, John, his labors, 84, 93. 
Munson, John, letter to Dr. 

Plunier, 5. 
Music, 90. 
Muzzy, C F., 447, 

Nativity, places of, 170. 
Nesbit,"William, 409. 
Neyin, E. H., 424. 
New roll, 144. 
New Castle, history of, 432. 



New Rehoboth, history of, 441. 
New Salem, history of, 407. 
Newell, Huey, notice of, 396. 
North East, history of, 429. 

Notices of living ministers: 
Adair, William A., 375. 
Alexander, James, D. D., 373. 

" W. J., 392. 

Behrends, C. A., 393. 
Belden, L. M., 400. 
Blackburn, W. M., 393. 
Blake, Edward S., 382. 
Cain, George F., 399. 
Callen, James H., 387. 
Condit, Ira M., 395. 

John G,, 397. 
Coulter, James, 383. 
Cunningham, Alex., 385. 
Dickey, James W., 384. 
Dicksbn, Cyrus, D. D., 381. 
Eaton, S. J. M., 387. 
Eddy, Hiram, 382. 
Findley, John Ross, 393. 
Fuller, William, 379. 
Gray, James H., 398. 
Gridley, J. J., 402. 
Grier, David, 390. 
Hamilton, John R., 394. 

W. T,D. D., 398. 
Hampson, Geo. W., 374. 
Hassinger, Peter, 372. 
Henderson, J. S., 431. 
Howey, John D., 394. 
Junkin, A. C, 395. 
Lambe, Henry B., 401. 
Leason, T. S-, 431. 
Lewis, Reuben, 378. 
Lockwood, R. S., 378. 
Lowrie, N. S., 398. 
Lyon, George A., D. D., 374. 
Marks, J. Junius, D. D., 401. 
McCready, Absalom, 371. 
McCune, John W., 390. 
McKinney, David, D. D., 370. 

" Edmund, 381. 

Merwin, Miles T., 386. 
Moore, William P., 399. 
Morton, Robert S., 389. 
Newell, Huey, 396. 
Olmstead, L. G., LL.D., 386. 
Parkinson, M. A., 388. 
Patton, David, 403. 
Peck, Simeon, 376. 
Reynolds, John V., D. D., 381. 
Robinson, W. M., 399. 
Rice, John, 400. 



462 



INDEX. 



Sailor, John, 388. 
Sample, R. F., 391. 
Sargent, J. H., 397. 
Scott, George, 396. 
Shields, James M., 392. 
Smith, J. T., D. D., 383. 

" John M., 385. 

" J. Irwin, 391, 
Smyth, J. Jones, 402. 
Spelman, J. H., 396. 
Van Cleve, R. S., 401. 
Van Liew, John, D. D., 269. 
Waggoner, David, 380. 
Washburn, Daniel, 380. 
Webber, Henry, 384. . 
Willson, William, 389. 
Wilson, J. G., 377. 
Zahniser, G. W., 390. 

Ogden, Ephraim, 423. 

Oil Creek; history of, 445. 

Oil City, history of, 455. 

Oldest ministers, 170. 

Olmstead, L. G., LL. D., notice of, 

386, 149. 
Ordination of missionary, 158. 
Overture to other branch, 149. 
Oxtoby, J. T., 456. 

Parkinson, M. A., notice of, 388, 

153. 
Park Church, Erie, history of, 454. 
Pastorates, short, 169. 
Patterson, R., biography of, 233, 

41. 
Patterson, R., his journal, 43. 
Patton, David, notice of, 403, 168. 

" W. D., 415. 
Peck, Simeon, notice of, 376, 132. 
Petroleum Center, history of, 456. 
Pittinger, N., biography of, 249, 

48. 
Places of study, 171. 
Plaingrove, history of, 426. 
Plan, new, 104. 
Plan of union, 51. 
Pleasantville, 456. 
Poland, history of, 424. 
Porter, Alex., 450. 
Population, 170. 
Potter, J. W., 424. 
Prayer, 58. 

" resolution concerning, 34. 
Presbyteries, new, 55, 56. 
Presbytery, Philadelphia Third, 

135. 
Preaching, character of, 64, 65. 



Protest, 52. 
Psalmody, 84. 
Psalmody, fathers on, 85. 
" Riggs on, 88. 

Quay, A. B., 410. 



Rankin, W. A., 445. 
Record of Presbytery, 172. 

" " 1862, 1863, 161. 

" " 1864, 162. 

" " 1865, 163. 

Re dick, John, biography of, 288, 

81, 82. 
Reed, William, 408. 

" J. F., D. D., 437, 446. 
Religious influence, 4. 

" " 1866, 167. 

" " 1867, 167. 

Resolution, McCready's, 138. 
Revivals, 114, 157, 168. 
Revival, great, 57. 
" scenes, 58. 
Reynolds, J. V., D. D., notice of, 

381, 134. 
Rice, John, notice of, 400, 163. 

" G. S., 439. 
Riggs, Cyrus, biography of, 256, 

51. 
Riggs, C. C, D. D., 260. 
Riggs, Hannah, 260. 
Roads, 12. 
Rockwell, 439. 
Robinson, W. M., notice of, 399, 

162. 
Roll of Presbytery, 169. 
Roll, new, 100. 
Rouse, 87. 
Rowland, James, 198. 

Sabbath-schools, 102. 
Sacraments, 22, 107. 
Sailor, John, notice of, 388, 153. 
Sample, R. F.," " 391,155. 

" Robert, 431. 
Salem, history of, 411. 
Sandy Lake, history of, 450. 
Sargent, notice of, 397, 159. 
Satterfield, J., biography of, 199, 

33. 
Satterfield, Meade, 414, 201. 
Scott, T. G., 425. 

" George, notice of, 396, 159. 

" J. W., D. D., 424. 
Scrubgrass, history of, 430, 16, 47. 
Seminaries, Theological, 171. 



INDEX. 



463 



Shields, J. M., notice of, 392, 156. 

Singing, 21 

Slavery, 131, 132, 150. 

" petition on, 149. 
Smith, J. T., D. D., notice of, 383. 

" John M., notice of, 385. 

" James R., 429. 

11 J. Irwin, notice of, 391, 155. 

" Joseph, 188. 

" m W. D., 407. 
Smoking accommodations, 70. 
Smvth, J. Jones, notice of, 402, 168. 
Slate Lick, history of, 420. 
Slippery Rock, history of, 431. 
Snowden, N. R., 414." 
Speer, T. P., 441. 
Spelman, J. EL, notice of, 396. 
Springfield, history of, 436, 134. 
Stated Clerks, 172. 
Stated Clerk's Bill, 52. 
Stockton, Joseph, biography of, 

191 33 
Stratton, W. O., 441. 
Struve, C. V., biography of, 351, 

152. 
Sturgeonville, history of, 453. 
Sugar Creek, history of, 442. 
Sugar Grove, history of, 454. 
Supplies, 42, 53. 
Swift, Dr. E. P., 159. 

" E. E., 432. 
Synod of Western Pennsylvania, 

142. 

Tait, Samuel, biography of, 185, 31. 
Taylor, Robert, biography of, 361, 
159. 

" William G., 410. 

" William M., 426. 

" William Howell, 445. 
Temperance. 81, 116. 
Territory, 5. 
Times, 3. 

Tinker, Reuben, 446. 
Titusville, history of, 445. 
Tokens, 23. 
Tour ofMacurdv, 36. 
Travelling, 13, 20. 
Townlev, J. H., 148. 
Trunkey, Judge, 363. 



Union, Armstrong Co., history of, 

421. 
Union, Erie Co., history of, 446. 
Vacancies, 56, 100. 
Vance, Joseph, 440. 
Vance's Fort, 4. 
Van Cleve, R. S., notice of, 401, 

167. 
Van Liew, John, D. D., notice of, 

369, 101. 
Venango, history of, 455. 
Vote of Presbytery, 139. 

Waggoner, D., notice of, 380, 145, 

162. 
Walker, R. B., D. D., 427. 
Wallace, B. J., D. D., 127. 
Warren, F. V., 446. 

" Pa., history of, 444. 
" ; O., history of, 437. 
Washington, history of, 446. 
Washburn, D., notice of, 380, 146. 
Waterford, history of, 443. 
Waterloo, history of, 453. 
Webber, H., history of, 384, 148. 
West, N., D. D., " biography of, 

331. 
Westfield, Pa., history of, 425. 

N. Y., history of, 446. 
Wick, William, biography of, 182. 
Williams, L. W., biography of, 

343, 152. 
Williams, Samuel, 434. 
Willson, William, notice of, 389. 
Wilson, J. G., notice of, 377, 132. 

L. B., 409. 
Wilson's Presbyterian Historical 

Almanac, 272. 
Wood, William, biography of, 216. 
Wormian, M. L., 429. 
Wright, James, 424. 
Wylie, William, D. D., biography 

of, 203, 33, 48. 

Young, Loyal, D D., 435. 
Young, James, 154. 
Youngstown, history of, 408. 

Zahniser, G. W notice of, 390, 
154. 



